October/November 2023 Ala Breve by AL_AMEA

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:31 AM Page 1

ala breve The Official Publication of the Alabama Music Educators Association

October/November 2023

2024 AMEA CONFERENCE VON BRAUN CENTER, HUNTSVILLE JANUARY 18 - 20 www.myamea.org

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:31 AM Page 2

DEPARTMENT MUSIC 2023 AUDIOF TIONS go.uab.edu/music

FOR ADMISSION AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICAT IONS

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:31 AM Page 3

The University of North Alabama Department of Music offers scholarships to qualified music majors and minors in all instrumental, vocal, and piano programs through auditions. Participants in University Ensembles may be eligible for a Performance Award, regardless of their academic major. Audition Dates: November 3, 2023 | January 26, 2024 March 2, 2024 | April 13, 2024 Contact us una.edu/music | 256.765.4375 music@una.edu | @unamusic1

Degrees Bachelor of Music in Performance Instrumental Piano Vocal Bachelor of Arts or Science in Music Instrumental Vocal / Choral Bachelor of Science in Education Choral Music, P-12 Instrumental Music, P-12

Minor Music Certificates Musical Theatre Percussion Specialist

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:31 AM Page 4

AMEA Governing Board 2023-2024 President Dr. Rob Lyda Cary Woods Elementary School 715 Sanders Street Auburn, AL 36830 334-663-0898 president@myamea.org

Immediate Past President David Raney Sparkman High School 2616 Jeff Road Harvest, AL 35749 256-837-0331 draney@madison.k12.al.us

President, AOA Joseph Lee PO Box 2532 Huntsville, AL 35804 (615) 397-4490 aoa_president@myamea.org

President-Elect Dr. Phil Wilson Ogletree Elementary School 737 Ogletree Road Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 538-9679 president_elect@myamea.org

Recording Secretary Heather Holmes Oak Mountain Middle School 5650 Cahaba Valley Road Birmingham AL 35242 (205) 682-5210 recording_secretary@myamea.org

President, AVA Hilen Wilson 6315 Mary Harmon Bryant Drive Cottondale, AL 35453 (205) 454-3067 ava_president@myamea.org

President, AMEA Collegiate Sarah Hicks (678) 986-1885 sehicks3@crimson.ua.edu

Industry Representative Joey Harbison Gadsden Music Company 607 Broad Street PO Box 132 Gadsden, AL 35901 205-910-2622 jmharbison@aol.com

Executive Director Dr. Russell (Rusty) Logan 2020 Janabrooke Lane Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 663-1702 executive_director@myamea.org

AMEA Collegiate Advisor Dr. Meghan Merciers University of North Alabama UNA Box 5040 142 Music Building Florence, AL 35632-0001 (256) 765-4518 mmerciers@una.edu

Editor, Ala Breve Garry Taylor 1600 Manor Dr. NE Cullman, AL 35055 (256) 636-2754 editor@myamea.org

Treasurer/Registrar Pat Stegall AMEA Registration PO Box 3385 Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 treasurer_registrar@myamea.org

President, ABA Lori Hart Guntersville High School 14227 US 431 Guntersville, AL 35976 (334) 797-1778 lorihart@gcboe.net

President, ELEM/GEN Alicia Luttrell Old Shell Road School 3160 Heather St. Mobile, AL 36607 (251) 221-1557 aluttrell@mcpss.com

President, HED Division Dr. Carly Johnson Alabama State University Department of Music 915 S. Jackson Street Montgomery, AL. 36104 (334) 229-4341 cjjohnson@alasu.edu

Alabama Department of Education Arts Education Specialist Andy Meadows 50 North Ripley Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 (334) 694-4768 ameadows@ALSDE.edu

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:53 AM Page 5

Ala Breve is published four times a year (August, October, February & May) by the Alabama Music Educators Association and printed by Hardwick and Son Printing in Dothan, Alabama. Bulk rate postage paid at Dothan, Alabama.

ADVERTISING & COPY DEADLINES August/September (Back to School issue): July 15 October/November (Conference issue): September 15 February.March (All-State issue:) January 15 May/June (Summer issue:) April 15

Editor & Advertising Manager: Garry Taylor 1600 Manor Dr. NE Cullman, AL 35055 (256) 636-2754 editor@myamea.org

On the cover: istock.com/Sean Pavone

ala breve The Official Publication of the Alabama Music Educators Association

October/November 2023

2024 AMEA CONFERENCE VON BRAUN CENTER, HUNTSVILLE www.myamea.org

Departments... 7 .........................Registrar 8 ........................President 10 .....................Elem/Gen 13.........................cNAfME 14 ..............................AVA 16..............................HED 18.................................AOA 20 ..............................ABA ala breve

Unless otherwise indicated, permission is granted to NAfME members to reprint articles for educational purposes. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of AMEA or the Editor. All announcements & submissions are subject to editorial judgement/revision.The Alabama Music Educators Association is a state unit of NAfME:

The National Association for Music Education, a voluntary, nonprofit organization representing all phases of music education in schools, colleges, universities, and teacher-education institutions. Active NAfME/AMEA membership is open to all persons engaged in music teaching or other music education work.

24 4 7 19 21 23 24 24 27 33 35 41 50 52 54 60 65

AMEA Governing Board Directory 2024 Call for Research Posters Capitol Tunes Teacher Profile: Hui-Ting Yang It’s a Ukulele Day in the Band Room by Nathan Haskeew 2024 Conference Featured Performers: The Aeolians Music Will Workshop AMEA Conference Schedule 2024 AMEA Featured Speakers & Clinicians 2024 AMEA Performing Groups 2024 AMEA Conference Clinicians Tri-M Selecting a Saxophone Mouthpiece by Tracy Heavner Music Reviews (Jazz, Band, Choral, & General Music) Schedule of Events Industry/Institutional Members

Advertisers... Alabama State University.................................40 Arts Music Shop, Inc ..........................back cover Auburn University Music Department .............12 Belmont University ..........................................57 Birmingham Southern College.........................17 Blount Awards..................................................30 Gadsden Music Company ................................58 Group Travel Network .......................................6 Jacksonville State University ...........................66 John M. Long School of Music (Troy) ............25 Landmark Tour and Travel ..............................11

Music is Elementary.........................................55 Music USA/Super Holiday Tours ....................26 Sight Reading Factory......................................63 UAB Music ........................................................2 UNA Department of Music ................................3 University of Alabama School of Music..........51 University of Montevallo .................................67 University of South Alabama Music ................39 UT Chattanooga ...............................................64 William Carey University ..................................7

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:31 AM Page 6

STRESS-FREE STUDENT TRAVEL

PROUD TRAVEL PLANNERS FOR THE

TOP DESTINATIONS INCLUDE: WASHINGTON DC PUERTO RICO GATLINBURG/PIGEON FORGE NEW YORK CITY CHICAGO NASHVILLE DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR? CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE. WE GO EVERYWHERE!

GET A FREE QUOTE

VISIT OUR WEBSITE MAKE TRAVEL DREAMS COME TRUE:

GROUPTRAVELNETWORK.COM TOLL-FREE: 866-563-3703 INFO@GROUPTRAVELNETWORK.COM

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:31 AM Page 7

Pat Stegall, AMEA Registrar

From the Registrar Registration for the January 18-20, 2024 AMEA conference in Huntsville will begin October 1st, 2023. Please take a few minutes and pre-register online at the lower pre-registration price. This will save you time and money going into the conference! Being pro-active is very important and your attention to getting registered for the conference is one of the ways you can speed up the process of getting your badges, etc. I encourage you to remind your colleagues to get their registration completed as soon as possible. Invite new music teachers and

ask the inactive music teachers to join NAfME/AMEA and attend the conference. Our young teachers need your encouragement so tell them how important the conference is to you and ask them to be present! Let’s achieve the goal to make the AMEA Professional Development Conference in Huntsville, the most highly attended AMEA Conference in our 78 year history! Remember that a pre-requisite to registering for the conference is to join/renew NAfME at www.nafme.org.

Joining NAfME secures your membership in AMEA and your division. You can pre-register now for the 2024 in-service conference at www.myamea.org. Do it now and you will save time and money! Join me and your colleagues from all over the state in January at the Von Braun Conference Center in Huntsville for our wonderful Alabama Music Educators Association Conference! Pat Stegall, Registrar

2024 AMEA RESEARCH POSTER SESSION 1.

CALL FOR RESEARCH POSTERS The Alabama Music Educators Association, Higher Education Division invites research poster submissions from all levels of music scholars and practitioners.

Submissions may include completed and in-progress research studies involving any aspect of music (education, therapy, history, psychology, performance, music in higher education, alternative music, etc.). Research based on issues facing music educators, musicians, and music students in the Southeastern United States are especially welcome, though this is not a requirement.

All submissions should meet the Code of Ethics found in the Journal of Research in Music Education.

Research presented at other conferences will be considered. However, previously published work will not be accepted.

Interested researchers should submit a detailed abstract of the research project (up to 1000 words) as a Word or PDF document through our online submission website.

Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, November 17, 2023 for full consideration.

All submissions will be peer reviewed and authors will be notified of acceptance by email during the first full week of December.

If accepted, authors must register and attend the AMEA conference to present the poster. In the case of multiple-author works, at least one author must register and attend the AMEA Conference to present the poster.

More information about the AMEA conference can be found on the AMEA Website (click on “Conferences”).

10. More Information: contact Dr. Jane Kuehne at kuehnjm@auburn.edu 11. SUBMIT A POSTER: https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_di2jmn2qHhAfC7P ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:31 AM Page 8

Dr. Rob Lyda AMEA President “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers!” To be honest, I’ve never read Anne of Green Gables, but I’ve always loved that quote. When I was a child, I thought October when the leaves change, and the weather is crisp and cool was mythical. Growing up in the Panhandle of Florida, I never experienced a true Fall or October. The temperature would get cooler and there would be less humidity, Winn Dixie would put pumpkins in the produce section, and the pine needles would begin falling off the trees – all those things would signal Fall for the people of the Florida Panhandle. I can still remember “the tree” that made me fall in love with Fall. One late September or early October afternoon during my freshman year at Troy, I decided to take a back road to my travel trailer at Swindall’s RV Park after band practice. There in the distance on County Road 26 was the most beautiful orangecolored tree. I had seen pictures and movies of multicolored trees; in all honesty, I questioned if that was even real. I had never seen anything like it in person. I stopped my car and got out on the side of the road to admire the majestic splendor of Fall. When I taught at Notasulga I enjoyed the trees on my morning commute in the Fall. I remember one particular Fall and one particular field of trees. Every tree was green, except one. The one tree had

already changed to a vibrant red that appeared almost on fire compared to the other trees. I drove past that field for several weeks before the other trees decided to join in and change colors. Every time I drove past the field and saw the red tree, it made me think about change. When to make a change? The fact that change is scary. Is collective change better than individual change? The person that changes, are they brave or foolish for changing early? Why do we need to change? I finally settled on the idea that it takes one person or tree to change, to be brave enough to initiate change, and eventually others will change. I’ve been thinking about change a lot as we’ve been preparing for the 2024 AMEA Professional Development Conference. We are changing locations. We are offering new things. We are expanding our offerings to include more music educators, more ways to engage with students, and more types of music. Let’s think for a minute about how much our organization has changed since I joined 26 years ago. We have a staff of four instead of one Executive Director. We meet in conference centers instead of on a university campus. Our membership has grown. We have a Hill Day. We added the Higher Education Division. AMEA and our divisions have held conferences or events in Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Montgomery, Mobile, Birmingham, and Huntsville. We have had three different

sets of standards. We have weathered a global financial crisis, proration, and a global pandemic. We have had to make changes and adjustments through the years and each time we have become stronger as an organization. Change has led our organization to be vibrant and better serve our members and their students. The other reason why I love October is because of the conference issue of the Ala Breve! I love seeing what groups will be performing, who will be presenting, and planning to see friends. I know this conference brings a change in venue, but I can honestly say I am excited and welcome the opportunity to be in Huntsville! Conference 2024 AMEA has never had the habit of giving a theme to our annual conference. However, if I were to give a theme to this year’s conference it would be – “Firsts in the Rocket City’. We will have three days of fabulous professional development sessions, soul-enriching concerts, eager exhibitors, fantastic food, and fellowship. I promise this year’s conference is one you will regret if you miss it. Here are a few things you can look forward to experiencing at the conference. This year we will feature our inaugural All-State Elementary Honor Choir as part of the Friday evening performances.

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 9

Thank you to the elementary division and in particular, Melissa McIntrye, for their hard work and bringing this new All-State Honor Choir to fruition.

students in our schools. His keynote will be a thought-provoking time and an interactive time of collaborative musicmaking.

Thursday afternoon, in the Mars Music Hall, we will host our first Open Mic event for popular/commercial/industry music ensembles from 12:00-5:00. This event will allow k-12 and higher education groups a place to perform as part of the conference. Each group will be allowed to perform a 20-minute set of covers or original music. Space is limited and registration will open on November 1. The director of the ensemble must be a member of AMEA and register for the conference.

Finally – the food! You will find a list of restaurants around Von Braun Center. In addition, we have asked the Von Braun Center to open a concession stand in the exhibit hall to serve food. There are also two restaurants on-site – Rhythm on Monroe and the CO/OP in the Embassy Suites. Click on the restaurant name to find menus for Rhythm on Monroe and CO/OP). We listened to your feedback and added 30 minutes to lunch on Thursday and Friday. You should have plenty of time to eat, relax, and get back to sessions!

Our featured speaker for the leadership breakfast will be Dr. Rob Deemer from the State University of New York at Fredonia. Many of you may know Dr. Deemer’s work as the Founder and Director of the Institute for Composer Diversity. In addition, Dr. Deemer will present two sessions for our membership on teaching composition and Composer Diversity. I have known Rob for several years and he is a fantastic resource and I’m glad he will spend a few days with us in Alabama. When I was a kid, my dad belonged to the Columbia CD club and we eagerly awaited new music each month arriving in the mail. I can still remember the month Take 6’s debut album arrived. Sorry, we don’t have Take 6 as our featured performer. We are having the ensemble that birthed Take 6 – The Aeolians of Oakwood University under the direction of Mr. Jeremy Jordan. I can’t wait for their performance during the General Session on Friday.

Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Scott Burstein, the Education Director of Music Will. Scott will be speaking about expanding music education to reach all ala breve

Last April Phil Wilson, Rusty Logan, and I did a site visit of the Von Braun Center during ABA’s All-State Festival. The AMEA Governing Board completed another site visit in August. We have tried to think of everything to make your experience in Huntsville the best possible. We want you to have an amazing time of fellowship and learning at this year’s AMEA! Music Will & Modern Band 101 This past summer I was asked to attend the Modern Band Summit in Fort Collins, CO as part of a delegation from NAfME. I love a good conference and trust me, the Modern Band Summit was a good conference. There is only one way I can describe the experience – Summer Camp for Music Teachers. I spent four days learning, connecting with music teachers from all over the country, and making music. The highlight of the trip for me was performing as part of the NAfME Rock Band – “Ralph and the Association”. I’m sure if you search hard enough you can find a video of me playing tambourine on “Can’t Hold Us” and ukulele on “I Want it That Way”. It would be hard to replicate the experience of the Modern Band Summit at our conference, but we are going to try and replicate one facet. I’m pleased to announce that on Saturday of our conference from 10:30 – 4:30, we will offer Modern Band 101 with Dr. Scott

Burstein. Here is a course description: “This course covers the basic core values of Music Will: how we teach musicmaking, improvisation, and composition by getting our students into a comfort zone using student-centered instruction, approximation, and scaffolding. Participants are introduced to the instruments of modern band: guitar, keyboard, drums, vocals, bass, and technology, and learn basic playing skills and pedagogy for each. Participants will also use their new musical skills to compose and perform an original song in a collaborative setting.” At the conclusion of Modern Band 101, participants will receive a certificate and be awarded an additional 6 hours of PD credit. Modern Band 101 is a free add-on to your conference registration. Registration is limited to 45 people. The registration link for Modern Band 101 will open on November 1, 2023. You must be registered for the conference to participate. Capitol Tunes Each Thursday in February and March the rotunda of the State Capitol is filled with music. AMEA is once again partnering with the Alabama State Department of Education to offer public school music groups the chance to perform in the rotunda of the State Capitol. A bonus is that groups selected for performance receive a stipend to help offset the cost of transportation to Montgomery. Please visit the AMEA website for ensemble guidelines and the application. The Capitol Tunes program is a fabulous way to showcase your small ensembles and advocate for music education. Thank you to Andy Meadows, ALSDE Arts Education Specialist, for his support and advocacy for this program. Please consider applying! The deadline for performance applications is November 1, 2023. I’m glad I live in a world with Octobers, AMEA, and you. Thank you for all you do day in and day out to bring music to our students. I hope you all have a vibrant Fall full of pumpkin spice, yellows, reds, oranges, and crisp cool air. I can’t wait to see all of you in Huntsville! 9

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 10

Alicia Luttrell - President, Elementary/General Division

Happy Fall Y’all! Greetings music educators, and Happy fall y’all! As I sit here sipping my pumpkin spice latte, the aroma of a newly purchased apple cinnamon candle filling the air, I am thinking about all the challenges I face with my students this year. I know you too have a packed schedule of classes filing in one after another, performances approaching, and deadlines looming. At times like these, I am grateful to AMEA and NAfME for their support as well as for the opportunities they provide to me and my students. Please consider renewing your NAfME/AMEA Membership today. Membership runs from July 1-June 30. NAfME is the national voice representing music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; and provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators. It is well worth your investment. Also, be sure to visit our website at myamea.org to learn more about music education advocacy and projects which you and your students can become involved. Thank you to everyone who supports our organization in all the different ways. Please know that the Elementary/General division wants to provide the best opportunities for our students. Please reach out to your district chair if you would like to serve in any capacity or if you have any questions or suggestions for us. Perhaps you might consider mentoring a new teacher in your district. If you are a veteran teacher, you have a wealth of knowledge you could share with a beginning teacher who needs some guidance. Reach out to your district chair, and she can put you in touch with someone who can help you! Upcoming events: We are so excited about the 2023 AMEA Elementary Music Festival to be held at 10

Metropolitan Church of God in Birmingham on October 27th. We have two incredibly talented clinicians, Dr. Emily Burch and Mrs. Margaret Heron, joining us at this fantastic venue for a great day of learning and making music. Don’t forget, the festival concert on the evening of the 27th starts at 6:30 and is free and open to the public. Please help us spread the word on social media about this outstanding concert. Dr. Emily Burch

Other upcoming events: National Orff AOSA Conference is November 1-4, 2023, in Albuquerque, NM. Orff Spring Workshop with Artie Almeida is scheduled for February 24, 2024, from 9:00-12:00 at Samford University. Please contact Jason Jackson for more information or to register. National Kodály OAKE Conference is March 14-17, 2024, in Chicago, IL. We want to be able to stay in touch with you and to reach out to those who are not members of AMEA. Please email us at elementaryamea@gmail.com to update your information and share this address with those who you know are not members. Also, please follow AMEA Elementary on Facebook for updates and reminders.

Margaret Heron

I urge you to make plans now to attend AMEA conference January 18-20, 2024, in the beautiful city of Huntsville. I assure you that it will be worth every minute you spend in conference workshops and concerts. We are elated to have Denise Gagne once again with her 35 years of teaching experience join us to share some of the latest and greatest in elementary music education. In addition, we are excited to welcome award-winning composer and conductor, Greg Gilpin, to demonstrate his approach to elementary choir and share some of his favorite repertoire with us. Mr. Gilpin will also be directing our All-State Honor Choir students as they rehearse on Friday and perform that evening in the first ever All-State Elementary Choir concert. I encourage you to have your students participate in this awesome opportunity.

Elementary/General Executive Board (2023 – 2025) • President – Alicia Luttrell • President-Elect – Jason Jackson • Treasurer – Devin Lacey • Secretary – Melissa Galanopoulos • Past-President – Sarah McLendon • Festival Director—Melissa McIntyre District Chairs (2023 – 2025) • District 1: Lea Hoppe & Viktoria Truesdail • District 2: Karen Morgan & Jamie Howell • District 3: Trudye Confessore & Kris Lindley • District 4: Laura Clevenger & Kaitlyn Melton • District 5: Katie Boyd • District 6: Christy Clark • District 7: Regina Williams • District 8: Andrea Marsh

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 11

Landmark Music Festivals

(800) 681-4188

www.-BOENBSLUU.com

(205) 458-0086

Landmark Tour & Travel’s Music Festival Division has more than twenty years experience planning student tours. Landmark’s team of expert travel professionals can customize your tour to any major choral or instrumental festival at any location that you choose.

IATAN International Airlines Travel Agent Network

Festivals Choice Music Festivals • Cruise Festivals • Festival Disney Festivals of Music • Field Studies Carnegie Hall Performance Fiesta-val Music Festivals • Heritage Festivals Manhattan Concert Productions • MidAmerica Productions Music in the Parks • OrlandoFest • Music USA Orlando Southern Star Music Festival . . . AND MORE

Destinations Atlanta, GA • Branson, MO • Chicago, IL • Gatlinburg, TN New Orleans, LA • New York, NY • Orlando, FL Saint Louis, MO • San Antonio, TX • Toronto, ON Washington, DC • Williamsburg, VA . . . AND MORE Sample itineraries are available for each destination. If the festival or destination of your choice is not listed, call for a custom proposal.

Contact SarahMartha Parker at (205) 458-0086 or sarahmartha@travellandmark.com to begin planning your tour today!

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 12

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: Bachelor of Music • Commercial • Composition (Technology) • Instrumental • Piano • Vocal Bachelor of Music Education Bachelor of Arts in Music Minor in Music Business AUDITION INFORMATION:

@AUBURNMUSIC

cla.auburn.edu/music/

GRADUATE PROGRAMS: Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education Specialist in Education in Music Education Master of Education in Music Education

AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION INSTITUTION/EMPLOYER

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:50 AM Page 13

Sarah Hicks, President, Alabama cNAfME

2023 AL cNAfME Collegiate Summit: Try Everything! Dr. Meghan Merciers, Advisor The Alabama cNAfME State Executive Board is eager to announce our 2023 Collegiate Summit theme - Try Everything! We have been working diligently since early May to bring this Summit to life, so we wanted to share a little about it. What is the Collegiate Summit? The AL cNAfME Collegiate Summit is an annual event designed by collegiates for collegiates. This event has been held for several years, serving as an opportunity for preservice music educators to learn, make connections, and ask experts questions about what it is like to enter the field of music education. The Collegiate Summit is typically held in the fall semester, and the event’s location rotates throughout different universities in the state of Alabama.

What should I expect? We are delighted to bring a new format and concept to our annual Summit for its 2023 edition. As music educators, we are called to push the boundary of what is considered traditional music, exploring music that might be outside of our comfort zone to innovate and progress in our field. This year, we will primarily learn about Modern Band through lectures and interactive performances. Modern Band typically entails teaching instruments such as guitar, drum set, keyboard, and vocals. We will learn the basics of teaching and performing at the Collegiate Summit with these instruments.

Where will it be? AL cNAfME Officers Matthew Suit (PresidentElect) and Kensley Fuller (Secretary) are excited to host the 2023 Collegiate Summit at their home university, Troy University. In fact, the entire State Executive Board is enthusiastic about the collaboration with the Troy University Chapter. When will it be held? The Summit will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Registration will begin at noon, and the Summit will kick off with a featured performance by the Troy Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Who is invited? Though this event is specifically geared toward college students, all music educators are welcome! In fact, this event is entirely free! The AMEA Governing Board supports collegiate students by providing funds for this event, including a pizza dinner! Please follow us on Instagram @cnafme_al for information about how to register for the Summit.

ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 14

Hilen Wilson President, Alabama Vocal Association

AVA UPDATES and Upcoming Events It was wonderful to see so many of you at this year’s Fall Workshop. We greatly appreciate Dr. Melinda Doyle and the University of Montevallo for hosting us again this year. I want to reiterate my gratitude to you for being flexible and positive throughout the workshop as we encountered obstacles. I walked away from the workshop with lots of beneficial activities and ideas for my classroom. Thank you again to Matthew Gawronski for serving as our clinician and the AVA Board for helping facilitate a successful event. CHANGES FOR 2023-2024 Here are the changes that were shared during our Fall Workshop General Membership Meeting: ● We have accepted a bid from Sweet Spot Live Recordings to record our All-State Choral Festival performances. Recordings and videos will be sent via Dropbox link to each director to share with students and will not be on a flash drive this year. ● The State Choral Performance Assessment Standing Rule E.1.a.ii now states: o “Any director of any level choir may choose to read an example with one voice part less than their highest performance voicing but must provide a rationale for this adjustment on the auxiliary information form. For example, a choir performing SSA and SA on stage may sight-read SSA or SA in the sightreading room.” ● Judges for State Choral Performance Assessment will participate in a training that consists of watching three different level choirs, completing an

adjudication rubric, and scoring the choirs. ● The membership voted and approved the following proposal: “Any community choir student who does not have a school choral program may participate in AVA events with a director who is an AVA member.” ● An All-State Teacher Panel has begun working on evaluating our All-State audition process and will continue working throughout the year to implement changes for the 2024-2025 school year. ● All-State Show Choir will be held on April 24-26 at Hartselle High School. ALL-STATE AUDITIONS AND FESTIVAL All-State auditions are fast approaching. Prior to the auditions, please make sure that your students have all of the required pieces, including “Alabama;” that all of their measures have been numbered; and that their adjudicator forms have been signed by a parent. Please ensure that all adjudication forms have been completely filled out prior to the audition. Also, be certain to follow the instruction pages included in the music packets to ensure that your students are learning the correct notes for your district. A few reminders about auditions: ● There may be no substitutions the day of the audition. The students that are registered are the ones who audition. ● Students who are sick on their audition day are welcome to audition at any other site, but virtual or makeup auditions will not be accepted. ● Students who are accepted into the All-State choirs will have to pay their registration fee, whether or not they attend the festival. Our All-State Choral Festival will be held at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Alabama on February 29-March 2, 2024. Our clinicians will be:

● High School SATB: Eric Barnum, Drake University ● High School SSAA: Julie Yu-Oppenheim, Oklahoma City University

● High School TTBB: Jeffrey Benson, San Jose State University

● Middle School Mixed: Alex Gartner, Pensacola Children’s Chorus ● Middle School Treble: D’Walla Simmons-Burke, Winston-Salem State University 14

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 15

Congratulations to all the choirs who were accepted to perform at the conference. We are looking forward to performances from the Hewitt-Trussville High Chamber Choir, University of North Alabama Collegiate Singers, Jacksonville State University A Capella Choir, Hartselle High School Chamber Choir, and Indian Springs Chamber Choir. It is a great honor to be selected to perform during this statewide conference, so please be sure to come and support these groups and enjoy the music they are going to share.

AMEA CONFERENCE The 2024 AMEA Conference will be January 18-20 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Our guest clinician will be Francis Cathlina, the Director of Choral Activities at University of Memphis. He will present three sessions including: Intentional Voice Building Through an 8-Step Warmup, 7 Essentials for Developing Voices in Choir, and a conducting masterclass with 4 of our directors. I am thrilled to have him at our conference, and I hope you all will attend his wonderful sessions!

ala breve

We will also have a Gospel High School Honor Choir led by Valerie Harris, the Director of Choral Activities at Miles College. Directors may send up to two balanced quartets of students in grades 9-12 to participate in this honor choir. This is going to be a fantastic experience for our students and I cannot wait to hear them on Friday night at our AMEA conference. I am looking forward to seeing you all at our upcoming AllState auditions as well as at our conference in January. Until then, if I can be of help in any way or if you have any suggestions or ideas, please contact me at hilen.wilson.ava@gmail.com. See you soon! Hilen Wilson AVA President

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 16

Dr. Carly Johnson-President, Higher Education Division

Crafting a New Vision for Music Education in Montgomery This past summer, I was excited to learn about the addition of Mrs. Natalie RoigMcKnight, Ed.S, who is serving as the new education specialist for fine arts programs for the Montgomery Public Schools. What better way to introduce Mrs. Roig-McKnight to our broader AMEA membership than to engage in a brief interview; many thanks to Mrs. Roig-McKnight for graciously agreeing to participate and for sharing her vision for music programs and Arts education in Montgomery!

music education. We will accomplish this with strong, ongoing partnerships within our local community, including partnerships with Alabama State University, Huntingdon College, and the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra. As we implement professional learning communities for each of our fine a rts disciplines, including music, our community partners will aid in helping our music educators by hosting PLCs and by providing teaching strategies to improve best practices, and (3) to provide students with opportunities to showcase their musical talents through concerts, recitals, competitions, and assessments to build student confidence and stage presence. These activities will be key opportunities for our teachers to reflect on the effectiveness of their instruction based on their students’ results. Q: What are a few innovations or new trends in music education that you would like to see take foot in Montgomery and school music programs across the state of Alabama?

Noig-McKnight Q: WhatNatalie are a few of your main priorities and goals for the music programs in the Montgomery Public Schools for the 2023-2024 school year? A: The main priorities and goals for the K-12 music programs are: (1) to ensure that music education is accessible to all students in our district. We have increased the number of music educators in our system since this past spring and are continuing to increase the number of music educators in our system, (2) to provide ongoing training and support for music teachers to enhance their skills, teaching methods, and knowledge of best practices in 16

A: One trend that I am seeing is an emphasis on career preparation for our students. Many schools want their students to either be enrolled, employed, or enlisted after graduation, and music education can help get our students to all three options. Music education offers courses and pathways that prepare students for careers in music beyond performances, such as music production, music therapy, and music education. We see scholarship opportunities in music at just about every post-secondary Institution, that can help aid our students in attending a post-secondary institution. When it comes to employment, some districts are providing digital music production opportunities, where

students can embrace technology, by teaching students how to create, record, and produce music digitally. This type of exposure can often help prepare students to have jobs associated with the music industry. Music Education can even help get our students opportunities in the military with marching experience and provide our students with a pathway to a career after their service in the military ends. Music is a great aid and opportunity for our kids for their future and the MPS district believes in providing music opportunities for all students. Q: What are some of the biggest challenges that our music specialists teaching in public schools in Alabama face, and what resources can you suggest that might help with these challenges? A: The biggest challenge I believe for music specialists in public schools is funding. I encourage advocacy and grant writing to aid in breaking through this often-encountered barrier. In the state of Alabama, we have many opportunities through the State Arts Council, State Art Alliance, State Department of Education, and local community organizations whose goal is to help in aiding our programs. Our goal in Montgomery Public Schools is to increase the submission of grants from our teachers, by supporting teachers to ensure strong grant applications. The next challenge goes hand in hand with funding, which is making sure that the community, administrators, and stakeholders understand the importance of music education. We need to communicate that music is not just an elective or a hobby. As leaders in our field, we must advocate for our programs and communicate our why!

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 17

Q: How has the focus and reach of music education evolved in Alabama since the pandemic?

Q: What advice would you give to our new first-year music teachers?

A: Music educators across Alabama explored creative ways to leverage technology for virtual music instruction; as well as, expanding their curriculum in music technology. Some music programs in Alabama emphasized teaching students how to use music production software and digital tools for composition and recording. I also believe the pandemic has forged stronger partnerships with institutions of higher learning and professional musicians within the community to enhance and build back many programs. The pandemic also put a huge emphasis on social and emotional learning, and the role of music in supporting students’ mental health has greatly increased. Music to many is an outlet and can impact the whole student.

A: First, CONGRATULATIONS! When it comes to advice for your first year, first build strong classroom management skills. Establish clear expectations and routines from day one and be consistent. Next, get to know your students by taking the time to know your students as individuals. Understanding their backgrounds, interests, and learning styles will help impact your instruction and can drive your choices for your classroom. When it comes to instruction, make sure to reflect. Regularly reflect on your teaching practices. Identify what works well and areas that may need to be improved. Be open to making adjustments and continually seek ways to enhance your teaching. Make sure to celebrate achievements by recognizing and celebrating your students. Positive reinforcement can boost their

confidence and motivation. Know that as a first-year teacher, it is okay to reach out and ask for help. Learning from someone with more experience can be immensely beneficial during your first year. Mentors may not be established in your district, but your professional organization is full of successful mentors. But above all have fun, stay calm, and prioritize personal wellness!

Birmingham-Southern College announces the reinstitution of the

BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE A four-year program leading to state certiﬁcation at the P-12 levels. Scholarship Auditions for 2024-2025 will be held on February 24, 2024, or at an earlier date by special arrangement.

For more information, contact Lester Seigel, lseigel@bsc.edu. Please note the registration deadline is February 15, 2024. ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 18

Joseph Lee- President, Alabama Orchestra Association

AOA Updates Members of the Alabama Orchestra Association, The other members of the Executive Committee, Anna Marie, and I look forward to welcoming you to Huntsville, January 18-20, 2024, for the Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference. It is not too early to start making plans to attend the AMEA Conference, and I remind you that you must be a current member of NAfME to register. The “headliner” clinician for the Alabama Orchestra Association will be Brenda Brenner, the Professor of Music Education and Director of the Jacobs Academy at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She specializes in string music education, teaching applied violin, as well as courses in violin and string pedagogy. Dr. Brenner holds degrees from Wichita State University and the Eastman School of Music. In addition to her appointment to the Music Education Department, she serves as co-director of the IU String Academy, which has been featured in concerts throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America. As director of the Fairview Project, a program

Brenda Brenner 18

in which every first and second grader in a Title I school learns violin as part of the curriculum, Dr. Brenner researches the cognitive, academic, and social outcomes of early instrumental music instruction. Dr. Brenner is an active performer of chamber music, an active international clinician, a Past President of the American String Teachers Association, and is on the Board of the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Dr. Brenner will present four sessions at the 2024 AMEA Conference: Setting Up for Success – Some of the most important factors that determine success in playing a stringed instrument involve the beginning “set up” stage, which includes establishing a proper playing position and developing free and open muscular motions. Teachers can ensure success for their students by establishing a series of procedures that break down the setup tasks into a sequence of exercises that allow their students to look and sound great! From Poof to Portato: A sequence of bow strokes – Bowing technique is a crucial foundational skill in string playing that creates good tone quality and forms the basis for musical style. In this session, methods of teaching fundamental bow strokes and bow choreography in group settings from beginning through intermediate levels will be explored. Literature utilizing the various strokes will be presented. Winning with Warm-Ups – An effective warm-up routine that integrates technical and musical elements as a preparation for playing repertoire is a key to successful teaching. Separation of both left- and right-hand difficulties before attempting them within the repertoire is essential. This clinic will examine how to design an effective routine and will present examples of warm-ups using standard repertoire from the string orchestra literature. Theory is Awesome – Learning music theory concepts deepens students’ understanding of music. Knowledge of intervals, solfege, chord structure, and

musical form strengthens the comprehension of musical style, allows students to contribute intelligently to the musical decision-making process, and perform with more understanding and awareness. Strategies for building practical theoretical skills in the beginning through advanced string classroom through games, musical activities, and improvisation will be presented in this clinic. In addition to the sessions presented by Dr. Brenner, we will also host sessions rooted in the art of listening from the podium, score study, behavior strategies that work, practicing with purpose, and empowering perspectives from women in music. Members of the Alabama Orchestra Association are also invited to participate in our third-annual AOA Lobby Performance which includes leadership, membership, and collegiate students. We will also hold our annual Saturday morning J.W. Pepper reading session, so be sure to bring your instrument! I know the Conference sounds extremely busy, and it is, but there is also plenty of time for sharing meals, exchanging ideas, networking, and building relationships. I am also excited about the 2024 North and South Region Orchestra and All-State Orchestra Festivals. Please see the AOA website, found below, for information regarding the North and South Region Orchestra Festivals, occurring January 6-7, 2024. The 2024 All-State Orchestra Festival will take place on the campus of the University of Alabama, February 8-11, 2024. At the 2024 AOA All-State Orchestra Festival, the Festival Orchestra will be led by Robin Fountain, the Emeritus Professor of Conducting at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music. Mr. Fountain is a sought-after guest conductor throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, and has recorded for Parma/Naxos, Novona, and Blue Griffin records, most recently Michael Kurek’s Symphony No. 2 with the European Recording Orchestra, Sofia, October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 19

Bulgaria. In 2020, Mr. Fountain concluded a fourteen-season tenure as Music Director of the Southwest Michigan Symphony and had previously enjoyed an equally long and productive tenure with the Williamsport Symphony in Pennsylvania. Mr. Fountain holds degrees from Oxford University, the Royal College of Music in London, and Carnegie Mellon University. The Sinfonia will be led by César Leal. He currently serves as Director of Orchestral Activities at the Sunderman Conservatory in Gettysburg College, where he is also a professor of musicology. A Colombianborn artist and researcher, his scholarly and creative activities often intersect a diverse array of interests, including music and culture during fin-de-siècle Paris, Franco-American artistic interactions, soundscapes, Jewish patronage and modernism, Latin American cultural identities in the U.S., and race, class, gender relations in music. Dr. Leal has led professional ensembles across the U.S., Panama, Colombia, France, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. He holds degrees from the University of Kentucky, Florida International University, and Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. The Consort String Orchestra will be led by Jennifer Drake. Inspired by the power

of music to connect people, ideas, and communities, Ms. Drake is a conductor, violist, teacher, clinician, and camp director. She is known for her versatility, humor, and energy, and has been a transformative force for the arts in Boise, Idaho, since 1999. Ms. Drake is the Music Director of the Serenata Orchestra, the Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the assistant conductor and principal violist for the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. Additionally, she is the principal violist for the Boise Baroque Chamber Orchestra, as we as a violist for the Boise Philharmonic. Ms. Drake is the founder of the Idaho Viola Camp and the co-artistic director for the Idaho Orchestra Institute. Please encourage your students to participate in the North/South Region Orchestra and All-State Orchestra Festivals. More information regarding auditions can be found here:

November 10, 2023 Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Audition Materials Due

https://alabamaorchestraassociation.org

South All-Region Orchestra: January 6-7, 2024 (Greenville)

All-Region/All-State Orchestra Deadlines for Audition Submission/Registration October 13, 2023 String and Harp Audition Materials Due

Thank you for all that you do to ensure that orchestral music thrives in the State of Alabama. May we strive to build musical communities where our students find safe spaces to express themselves, their experiences, their hopes, and their dreams for a kinder world where all are loved, nurtured, and supported. May this be our mission and may music be our vehicle. Musically yours, Joseph Lee, President Important Dates 2023-2024 Academic Year North All-Region Orchestra: January 6-7, 2024 (Huntsville)

All-State Orchestra Festival: February 8-11, 2024 (Tuscaloosa) Orchestra Music Performance Assessment: April 5, 2024 (Alabaster)

CAPITOL TUNES Perform in the Rotunda of the State Capitol during the 2024 Legislative Session A collaborative project of the Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Music Educators Association, and the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts =This performance opportunity is for public schools only. =Performances will be in the Alabama State Capitol Rotunda. Space is limited. Ensembles should be no larger than 20-25 students. =Recommended performance groups include small brass, woodwind, string, vocal, or guitar groups, such as trios, quartets, quintets, or small choirs. =Each ensemble should plan to perform a minimum of 20 minutes. =Electricity or amplification may not be used. Chairs or music stands will not be provided. Groups may bring their own stands and chairs if necessary. A piano will not be provided. =Performances will take place on Thursdays of February and March during the 2022 Legislative Session. Groups should arrive by 11:00 AM at the Gordon Persons Building, warm-up, then proceed one block to the Capitol and perform at 12:00 PM. =Performing schools will receive a stipend to offset the cost of a bus driver and mileage. =The deadline to apply is November 1, 2023. =Apply at https://form.jotform.com/212503983618964 ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 20

Lori Hart - President, Alabama Bandmasters Association

Remember Your Why I hope that everyone has had a great beginning to the new school year, and you are finding a positive to focus on each day! I was recently asked why I “continue to teach at my age” and my reply was “I love what I do!” A few days later, I was scrolling through social media, I came upon a sweatshirt ad that read “Remember Your Why”. We all need to remember why we became teachers. I am sure if I took a poll on this subject, it would reveal that most of us that chose this career path is directly related to the influence of a teacher that made a difference in our lives. I was blessed to have a different band director almost every year I was in public school, and they all made an everlasting impact. You are making a difference in a child’s life every day and you should strive to make sure it has a positive impact… So, when the days are long, or the students are struggling, or the parents are too demanding, or your administration wants you to serve on one more committee, or the pay isn’t what we feel like we deserve, and you just feel defeated… take a breath…call someone and let them remind you to “remember your why”. You matter to someone! Our annual AMEA In-Service Conference is scheduled for January 18-20, 2024, at the beautiful Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville. We have wonderful concerts planned by Simmons MS Honor Band, Dauphin JH Symphonic Band, Buckhorn HS Wind Ensemble, Fairhope HS Wind Ensemble, Thompson HS Wind Ensemble, Pinson Valley HS Percussion Ensemble, Northridge HS Jazz Ensemble, and Jacksonville State University Brass Band. We also have several clinics that should provide our teachers with valuable information and inspiration. Check out the schedule that is listed in this issue of the Ala Breve. Registration will be available online beginning October 1st. Make sure you have renewed your NAfME and AMEA membership, before registering. 20

We have several ABA reminders: Please make sure you register and/or update your contact info on the alaband.org website. If you are new to our state or are a first or second-year teacher, please make sure you contact your District Chairman and ViceChairman, so they can provide you with upto-date information regarding all things ABA! We will begin using our new Cumulative List Levels 1-6 this year for MPA. The list is available on our website under the dropdown of MPA and will soon be published on JW Pepper’s website as well. Please make sure you read our bylaws regarding MPA, All-State Auditions, Solo and Ensemble, and Jazz Education-related items. Also on the website, we will post hotel links for All-State Band once all rate negotiations have been completed. According to our Executive Secretary, Doug Farris, we have had to renegotiate rates due to contracts signed before COVID-19 (and we all know how COVID has affected the economy). So, please be patient as we work through this process. Please make sure you are aware of events and registration deadlines. Your District Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen work diligently to provide all this information to our membership. To avoid late fees, refer to your calendar frequently and make sure you are sending your payments to the right person. If you are not sure, ask your chairman. They are there to help and I appreciate all they do to serve our organization. In closing, let’s have a great representation at our AMEA Conference! Let’s make the student’s our priority, and let’s always strive to love what we do and Remember Our Why!

Jazz News from Nick…. I hope everyone had a great summer and a good start to the school year. We would like to encourage your students to audition for this year’s All-State Jazz Band. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase your talents, learn from renowned clinicians, and perform alongside the best musicians in the state. Important Dates: • Audition Material Access: Visit alaband.org for the audition material. • Audition Registration Deadline: Friday, October 27, 2023 • Audition Recording Upload Period: November 1 through November 14, 2023 • Acceptance Notifications: Thursday, November 30, 2023 • Mandatory Registration Deadline for Accepted Students: December 4, 2023 • Music Distribution to Directors/Participants: Wednesday, December 6, 2023 • All-State Jazz Band Event: January 1820, 2023, at the Huntsville Von Braun Civic Center We’re excited to introduce our distinguished clinicians for this year’s event: • Ben Posey (Middle School Band) • Matt Leder (Bronze Band) • Chris Kozak (Silver Band) • Jerome Jennings (Gold Band) We also encourage you to mark your calendars and join us for the Jazz State Assessment, scheduled for Thursday, April 18th, 2023, at Thompson High School. Detailed information on registration and the esteemed panel of judges will soon be available on alaband.org. For more information and updates, please visit alaband.org. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with the audition process. October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 21

Teacher Profile

Hui-Ting Yang Editor’s Note: Each Teacher Profile spotlights a music educator from across the full spectrum of AMEA - new teachers, experienced teachers, retired teachers, and teachers from each of AMEA’s different divisions. This issue features Hui-Ting Yang, Interim Director and Professor, School of Music, Troy University.

Briefly tell us about your current position, how long you’ve been there, and a little about your schedule. I am currently Professor of Piano at the Troy University John M. Long School of Music, where I serve as the Interim Director and the Coordinator of Applied Studies. I have been teaching at Troy for 15 years. Since I took on the Interim Director’s position two years ago, my daily schedule changed. Besides teaching, part of my job would be the administrative responsibilities. Tell us about your background – hometown, college, family, etc. I am from Taiwan where I received the Bachelor of Music Education from Taipei Municipal University of Education. After three years teaching at an elementary school, I came to the United State to pursue graduate studies in Piano Performance at Ohio University. I returned to Taiwan and taught music education to junior high-aged students for 4 more years after receiving the Master of Music degree. In 2000, I relocated to the United States to study Collaborative Piano at The Florida State University. I received the Doctor of Music in Piano Performance and Master of Music in Accompanying in 2006. Why did you decide on a career in music education? Because I love to teach and especially enjoy working with college-aged students. Who are some of your teachers/colleagues that you would consider mentors and why? I was so fortunate to meet two professors when I was studying ala breve

at The Florida State University. Professor Valerie Trujillo taught me extensive coaching on the vocal repertoire and performance practice for Classic, Romantic, and Modern eras. Dr. Carolyn Bridger taught me how to breathe when playing and how to use that awareness musically. She also taught me how to listen carefully to my pedaling and to pay attention to all the nuances between different voices. Not only did we talk about the technical stuff, we also discussed life, personalities, teaching, and philosophy. I became a better person and musician because of them. Are there any embarrassing teaching moments you’re willing to share? What are they? No. Name one accomplishment that fills you with pride so far in your career. In 2014, I was named a Steinway Artist. It is a privilege for me to join the list of more than 2,000 Steinway Artists in the world and to share my name with them on the International Roster of Steinway Artist. I have also been nominated as an inductee of the Steinway and Sons Teacher Hall of Fame and will fly to New York for the Induction Ceremony in October. What would your students be surprised to find out about you? That my favorite movie is “Forest Gump” and that my favorite breakfast is Sourdough French Toast from Cracker Barrel. How do you spend your summer breaks? I enjoy traveling, so summer is usually the time for me to travel internationally. I visited, performed concerts and masterclasses at several universities in China and Taiwan. Sadly, my international travel was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic these past 4 years. This past June, I went to Canada with 19 of our choral students for a Choral Festival in Toronto. I am excited and looking forward to resuming my travelling with some visits, performances, lectures, and masterclasses overseas in summer 2024. Are you involved in other music-related activities in addition to your teaching position? No. How about interests or hobbies not related to your teaching position? I am learning and enjoying baking during the weekend. I also love road trips and hiking when I have a longer break.

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 22

It’s A Ukulele Day in the Bandroom

usic educators tend to be quite opinionated. There are a myriad of topics that could spark hours and hours of debate amongst our colleagues. Finding common ground on some of the more controversial topics might be challenging at times. Despite what divides us, we can all agree that one primary goal of every music educator should be to help students develop a lifelong desire to participate in music. We can see lifelong participation take place in many different ways (participating in community or professional ensembles, attending music performances, buying music, giving back to music programs, etc.). Northeast Alabama happens to be home to an ensemble that provides such an opportunity! “The Ukesters” is a ukulele band from Guntersville, AL. They are an allvolunteer ensemble that started with seven members in 2017 under the direction of Delores Moore. The twenty-five members of the 2023 ensemble rehearse once a week and are led by Jennifer Phillips. Jennifer and her husband Ted, who is also a member of the ensemble, are both retired music educators from South Georgia. Current membership represents many different professions, including healthcare providers, businessmen and women, ministry workers, teachers, etc. Many of the members have previous musical experience; however, for some, this is their first time playing an instrument and singing in an ensemble. They have an 22

average age of 67 years young! The ensemble performs for audiences young and old, striving to bring smiles to every face! One of the members of The Ukesters is Mary Elizabeth Bates; she is affectionately known to her friends and colleagues as Betty. Growing up, Betty was surrounded by many positive musical influences. She counts her time with Dr. John M. Long as transformative and foundational for how she developed relationships with students. Betty will tell you Dr. Long was not just a mentor; he was also a friend. Betty served as the band director for the Scottsboro High School community in Jackson County for twenty-five years. During her tenure, the band earned numerous superior ratings and awards, commissioned three compositions, performed at the 1993 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, NY, and performed at the 1997 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. Her impact on her students continues now through her former students who have become music educators and performers, students who have children of their own participating in music programs, and her encouragement and mentorship of active music educators and students. I am fortunate to be one of the music educators who Betty has mentored. I know much of my success would not have been possible without her. Betty and I share about four hours in the car together once a month as we

by Nathan Haskew

Photo: Unsplash/David Wayne

head to and from Alabama Winds rehearsal. Alabama Winds is an all-adult community wind band under the direction of Professor Randall Coleman. Betty’s participation for the past 10 years is just another example of her commitment to lifelong musicianship. There is not a conversation on our way to and from Thompson High School that goes by without The Ukesters coming up. Betty is always so excited to share about one of their recent performances or a new song they are working on. The Ukesters will be taking it to the next level as they open the Memphis Uke-N-Roll Festival in April of 2024 and will host the first Lake Guntersville Uketoberfest in October of 2024. It was the excitement and passion of the members of The Ukesters that sparked the idea to commission a new piece of music for concert band and ukulele. The commission is sponsored by the band directors of the Alabama Bandmasters Association District Two. This includes all of the band programs from Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Dekalb, Etowah, Jackson, Marshall, St. Clair, and Talladega counties. We hoped that this piece would help encourage music educators and younger students to look for opportunities to keep playing. The piece will be dedicated to the educators who taught us that music participation does not have to be something we only do in school, but it can be something we enjoy for the rest of our lives. October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 23

The Ukesters Speaking of lifelong, Justin Williams and I grew up together in Ashville, AL. Our friendship started when Justin’s mother was my first-grade teacher. Justin would go to his mother’s room after school and sit at my assigned desk. He would draw on the desk, and I would get in trouble for it the next day. Despite our inauspicious start, we both developed a love of music as members of the Ashville High School Band, Alabama Youth Symphony, numerous honor bands, and Jacksonville State University Bands. We continue to work closely together throughout our professional endeavors. Justin maintains an active arranging and composing schedule (along with his full-time job of teaching at Central Alabama Community College and being a husband and father). I reached out to Justin with the idea for the piece in the early fall of 2022 and asked him if he would be interested. He was very excited to take on the task. ala breve

The source for the composition is Vincent and Norine Mungo’s original song It’s A Ukulele Day. The song has been recorded by groups from all over the world and has become somewhat of a uke anthem. The upbeat tune is in the key of G, and the lyrics remind us that music is meant to be enjoyed: It’s just four little strings The simple joy it brings Is touching hearts in every land Let peace and freedom ring As we all play and sing Let’s put a uke in every hand It’s a Ukulele day The commission will be performed by The Ukesters and the Alabama Bandmasters Association District Two Middle School Honor Band which will be held at Albertville High School Fine Arts Center February 9-10, 2024. Mr. Pat Stegall, retired band director from

(Photo by Johnny Brewer)

Muscle Shoals High School and current Music Education Coordinator for the University of North Alabama, will lead the rehearsals and premiere performance. The performance only misses World Ukulele Day (February 2nd) by one week. School music programs are so great at helping students develop self-esteem, pride in accomplishments, intellectual curiosity and stimulation, individuality, belonging, and enjoyment. Let’s not let that stop when they graduate! Nathan Haskew is the associate band director at Albertville Middle School and the Alabama Bandmasters Association Chairman for District Two.

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 24

2024 Conference Featured Performers - The Aeolians

and Great Britain. Under the current director, the group tours extensively, and has extended their international prominence to Trinidad & Tobago, Russia, and Jamaica. Under the God-inspired direction of Jason Max Ferdinand, the choir has placed 1st two years in a row (2010 & 2011) in the iSing HBCU Challenge hosted by Reid Temple AME Church in Lanham, Maryland, and being named in 2014 as the four-peat national HBCU choral champions. They have also been presented with the keys to the City of Huntsville with Dec. 3rd & Dec. 5th being days named in their honor.

Jeremy Sovoy Jordan, Director The Aeolians of Oakwood University was originally organized in 1946 by the late Dr. Eva B. Dykes. Since its inception, the choir has traveled widely, touching the hearts of both young and old with their inspirational singing. Subsequent conductors include: Mrs. Joni Pierre-Louis, Mr. Harold Anthony, Dr. Jon Robertson, Dr. Alma M. Blackmon, Dr. John Dennison, Dr. Ricky Little (a former Aeolian), Dr. Eurydice Osterman, Michele Cleveland, Lloyd Mallory, Dr. Julie Moore, Norman Crarey, Dr. Wayne Bucknor (a former Aeolian) Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand (a former Aeolian), and presently Jeremy Sovoy Jordan, also a former Aeolian. Directors have made considerable contributions over the years. Under the direction of Dr. John Dennison, the Aeolians performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, receiving flattering reviews. Under the direction of Dr. Alma M. Blackmon which began in 1973, the group was propelled into national and international prominence with the performance of over 200 concerts in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Poland, Romania,

In Oct 2015, the Aeolians made their debut at Carnegie Hall performing with the Altino Bros, the Altino Brothers Concert Chorale, and the Beyond Boundaries Symphony Orchestra in the Altino Bros’ “Beyond Boundaries” Concert Series. Later that month, the Aeolians accompanied the world acclaimed soprano, Kathleen Battle at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center in her, “Underground Railroad: A spiritual Journey” Concert Series. Since January 2013, the Aeolians have teamed up with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) to present an annual Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) tribute at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, Birmingham, Alabama. This collaboration has seen masterpieces performed from the symphonic choral literature to include Brahms, Mozart, Schoenburg, Dvorak, Hailstork & Dett just to name a few. In 2016, it featured Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” with guest classical pianist, Nervo Altino from the Altino Bros. This choir has been truly blessed and for this they are thankful. In 2017, after presenting several concerts in England and Scotland, the Aeolians traveled to Llangollen, Wales, to participate in the Choir of the World competition at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, recognized as “one of the most respected accolades in the choral calendar,” with the winners receiving the prestigious Luciano Pavarotti trophy. Rounds of keen but friendly competition ended with the Aeolians being awarded the 2017 Choir of the World Luciano Pavarotti trophy! The Aeolians continue to travel near and far, blessings the hearts and souls of many.

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 25

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 26

ENSEMBLES ACCEPTED Concert Band Jazz Band Orchestra Percussion Ensemble Guitar Ensemble Parade/Marching Band Steel Band, Concert Choir Show Choir Dance Groups

PRICING FOR ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION FOR THE 2024 DATES 1-Day Park-to-Park Universal Orlando® Resort Ticket with Festival (Florida schools only)

$232 + tax

2-Park | 2-Day Park-to-Park Universal Orlando® Ticket with Festival

$265 + tax

2-Park | 3-Day Park-to-Park Universal Orlando® Ticket with Festival

$275+ tax

3-Park | 2-Day Park-to-Park Universal Orlando® Ticket with Festival (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay all 3 days)

3-Park | 3-Day Park-to-Park Universal Orlando® Ticket with Festival (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay all 3 days)

$285 + tax

$295 + tax

Registration Fee(s) In addition to the per-person price listed above, each performing group requires a registration fee of $150. The registration fee(s) is/are non-refundable upon acceptance of your school for the participation in the Music USA Festivals program. Minimum Requirements Each school must have at least 40 performing students. For each additional performance group, another 40 performance students are required. *The breakdown of students within each performing group does not a昀ect the requirement. *One Director/Chaperone free for every 20 paid students.

PROMOTING MUSIC EDUCATION THROUGH QUALITY EVALUATION Music USA Festivals has provided groups with the unique opportunity to perform at Universal Orlando® Resort since 1992. Schools arrive, perform and are admitted directly to the park from Soundstage 33, making for the ultimate festival experience!

FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2024 MARCH

APRIL

MAY

March 15-16 March 22-23 March 29-30

April 5-6 April 12-13 April 19-20 April 26-27

May 3-4 May 10-11 May 17-18 May 24-25

(Easter, no festival this weekend)

www.MusicUSAFestivals.org | MusicGroups@MusicUSAFestivals.org

APPLY TODAY!

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 27

2023 AMEA Conference Schedule

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

4:30-7:00 pm

Conference Registration Open, VBC Registration Desk (Lower Level)

5:00-7:00 pm

AMEA Governing Board Meeting, Embassy Suites, Big Spring A

5:00-7:00 pm

ABA Leadership Training, Embassy Suites, Big Spring C

7:15-9:30 pm

ABA Board Meeting, Embassy Suites, Big Spring C

7:15-9:30 pm

AOA Board Meeting, Embassy Suites, Big Spring D

7:15-9:30 pm

AVA Board Meeting, Embassy Suites, Big Spring B

7:30 am -5:00 pm

Conference Registration Open, VBC Registration Desk (Lower Level)

8:00-9:00 am

AMEA Leadership Breakfast, Embassy Suites, Big Spring C-D

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

FAME, VBC North Hall Salon 12

9:15-10:15 am

ABA Concert Session, VBC Mars Music Hall Dauphin Junior High Symphonic Band, Justin Compton, Conductor

9:15-10:15 am

ABA & AOA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 Seven Trips Through the Score: A Time Saving Technique for Learning ANY Score - Justin White, Clinician

9:15-10:15 am

ELEM-GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Choral Warm-Ups: Connecting with Purpose - Greg Gilpin, Clinician

9:15-10:15 am

COLLEGIATE Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 Around the Calendar: A Blueprint for Collaboration Between Sister Programs - Brooke Mason, & Sam Becker, Clinicians

9:15-10:15 am

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Vocal Pedagogy for Choral Students - Tamarceo Shaw, Clinician

9:15 - 9:40 am

HED Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 Exploring Music Therapy: Understanding the Education Requirements and Professional Career Andrea Cevasco-Trotter, Clinician

9:50-10:15 am

HED Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 How to Begin or Transition to a Career in Higher Education - Brandon Slocumb, Clinician

10:30-11:30 am

AVA Concert Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 Hewitt-Trussville High School Chamber Choir - Allen Gillespie, Conductor University of North Alabama Collegiate Singers - Ian Loeppky & Rebecca Rockhill, Conductors

10:30 am-5:00 pm

EXHIBITS OPEN, VBC South Hall 1

11:05-11:25 am

COLLEGIATE Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 Snap Back to Reality: A Guide for New Music Teachers - Lillian Kennedy, Clinician

11:05-11:25 am

HED Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 Not-So-Artificial: Partnering with AI in the Music Classroom - Andrew Mills, Clinician

11:45 am-1:00 pm

FAME Luncheon, VBC North Hall Salon 12

12:00-1:00 pm

HED Luncheon, Embassy Suites Big Spring A

12:00-1:00 pm

Past Presidents Luncheon, Embassy Suites Big Spring B

ala breve

Thursday, January 18, 2024

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 28

Thursday, January 18, 2024 1:00-1:50 pm

ABA Concert Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 Simmons Middle School Honors Band, Matthew Chambless, Conductor

1:00 - 2:00 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 Composition 101 in the Classroom - Rob Deemer, Clinician

1:00 - 2:00 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 Teaching Music in Title I Schools: Strategies for Success - Robert Bryant, Clinician

1:00 - 2:00 pm

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Sight Read with Confidence! Strategies for Beginning Sight Readers - Sarah Burns, Clinician

1:00 - 2:00 pm

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 ASSESS without STRESS - Denise Gagne, Clinician

1:00-2:00 pm

COLLEGIATE & AOA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 Encouragement, Empowerment, and Excellence: Behavior Strategies that Work - Andrea Hayter, Clincian

1:00-2:00 pm

HED Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 Curiouser and Curiouser: Journeys Down the Research Rabbit Hole - Diane Orlofsky, Clinician

1:00-4:30 pm

Contemporary Music Ensembles Mic Drop, VBC Mars Music Hall

2:15- :15 pm

ABA Interst Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 Warm-Ups: The End is Only as Good as the Beginning! - Tyler Arcari, Clinician

2:15-3:15 pm

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Seven Essentials for Developing Voices in Choir - Francis Cathlina, Clinician

2:15-3:15 pm

HED Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 The What, Why , and How of Modern Band: In Training and in Practice - Shane Colquhoun, Clinician

2:15-3:15 pm

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Internet or InterNOT: Make Your Lessons POP! - Michelle Hobizal, Clinician

2:15-3:15 pm

ABA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 Mentor/Mentee=Win/Win - Becky Warren, Clinician

2:15-3:15 pm

AOA & COLLEGIATE Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 Do You Hear What I Hear? - Anne Witt, Clinician

3:30-3:55 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 Practical and Direct Applications for an Inclusive Music Classroom - Alexa Dishroon, Clinicians

3:30-4:20 pm

ABA Concert Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 Buckhorn High School Wind Ensemble, Jacob Souder, Conductor

3:30 - 4:30 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 Diversifying our Repertoire and Curriculum - Rob Deemer, Clinician

3:30-4:30 pm

AOA Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 2 The Purpose of Practice/Practice with Purpose - Joseph Gray & Ryan Beach, Clinician

3:30-4:30 pm

COLLEGIATE & HED Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 Conquering the Beast: Strategies and Resources for Passing the Praxis Exam - Michael Zelenak, Clinician

3:30-4:30 pm

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Intentional Voice Building through 8-Step Warm-up - Francis Cathlina , Clinician

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 29

Thursday, January 18, 2024 3:30-4:30 pm

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 From Gym to Carnegie Hall - Favorite 2-Part Repertoire - Greg Gilpin, Clinician

4:05-4:30 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 Long Lost Music: Diverse Composers Forgotten in History - Jonathan Steltzer & Jacob Morgan, Clinicians

4:30-5:30 pm

Exhibit Hall Reception, VBC South Hall 1

5:30-6:30 pm

HED/COLLEGIATE Mixer, Embassy Suites Orion Room

5:30-7:00 pm

ELEM/GEN Governing Board Meeting, VBC South Ballroom 5 Alicia Luttrell, Presiding

7:00-7:45 pm

AVA Concert Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 Jacksonville State University Acapella Choir - Eliezer Yanson, Jr., Conductor

7:00-7:50 pm

ABA Concert Session, Mars Music Hall Pinson Valley High School Percussion Ensemble - Latrice Green, Conductor

7:00-8:00 pm

ELEM/GEN Evening Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Super Fun Folk Dances - Denise Gagne, Clinician

8:15-9:15 pm

ABA Concert Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 Thompson High School Wind Ensemble, Graham Bennett, Conductor

Friday, January 19, 2024 7:30 am - 1:00 pm

Conference Registration Open, VBC Registration Desk (Lower Level)

8:00-8:50 am

ABA Business Meeting, VBC South Ballroom 1 Lori Hart, Presiding

8:00-8:50 am

AOA Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 2 Setting up for Success - Brenda Brenner, Clinician

8:00-8:50 am

HED Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 Research in Schools: Collaborations between Teachers and Researchers Ellary Draper, Meredith DeVore, & Laura Brown, Clinicians

8:00-8:50 am

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Bring Your New Students Up-To-Speed... Fast! - Greg LeFils, Clinician

8:00-8:50 am

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 From the Head of the Table to the Podium: Equipping Women to Lead Diane Orlofsky, Catrina Bristol, Laura Moore, Melinda Doyle, and Hui-Ting Yang, Clinicians

8:00-8:50 am

COLLEGIATE Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed: 9 Steps to Becoming a Happy Music Teacher - Jeanette Shorey, Clinician

8:25-8:50 am

ELEM/GEN Concert Session, VBC East Ballroom 1&2 Kitty Stone Singers, Cheryl J. Wight, Conductor

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Exhibits Open, VBC South Hall 1

9:00-9:50 am

AOA Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 2 From Poof to Portato: A Sequence of Bow Strokes - Brenda Brenner, Clinician

9:00-9:50 am

AVA Business Meeting, VBC South Ballroom 2 Hilen Wilson, Presiding

ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 30

Friday, January 19, 2024 9:00-9:50 am

ABA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 Getting to the Art of it! Programming for Concert Bands with Intentionality Jon Bubbett, Jerrell Horton, Heather Henson, & Michael Chambless, Clinicians

9:00-9:50 am

COLLEGIATE Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 We Have 24 hours In Our Day: Increasing Efficiency To Be a More Effective Musician, Teacher and Family Member Scott Casagrande, Clinician

9:00-9:50 am

ABA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 From Complexity to Clarity: Tips & Tricks to Help the Overwhelmed Director Find Success - Matt Weaver, Clinician

9:00-9:50 am

ELEM/GEN Business Meeting, VBC South Ballroom 5 Alicia Luttrell, Presiding

9:00-10:00 am

HED Faculty Showcase Recital, VBC Mars Music Hall

10:15 am - 12:00 pm

AMEA General Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 AMEA Business Meeting, Rob Lyda Presiding Keynote: Reaching the Unreachable: Connecting to Every Student - Dr. Scott Burstein Featured Performance: The Aeolians of Oakwood University, Jeremy Jordan, Director

12:00-1:30 pm

COLLEGIATE Luncheon, Embassy Suites Big Spring AB

12:00-1:30 pm

PHI BETA MU Luncheon, Embassy Suites Big Spring CD

1:30-2:30 pm

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Conducting Masterclass - Francis Cathlina, Clinician

1:30-2:30 pm

HED Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Horns: The Buzz About Suzuki Brass - Brenda Luchsinger, Clinician

1:30-2:30 pm

ABA & AOA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 From Tokenism to Authenticity: Empowering Perspectives from Women in Music Cara Morantz, Leigh Thomas, & Erin Charles, Clinicians

1:30-2:30 pm

COLLEGIATE Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 The Mentorship Continuum: Continuing Growth in Students & Self - Will Panter & Mary Land, Clinicians

1:30-2:30 pm

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Chip Chop!: How Music Activities Connect to ELA Standards - Morgan Soja, Clinician

1:30-2:30 pm

ABA Concert Session, VBC Mars Music Hall Northridge High School Jazz Ensemble, John Cain, Director

2:30-3:45 pm

HED Poster Session, VBC Lobby (Lower Level)

2:45-3:45 pm

AOA Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 2 Winning with Warmups - Brenda Brenner, Clinician

2:45-3:45 pm

COLLEGIATE Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 Professional Collaboration between Cooperating Teachers and Student Interns Sarah Burns & Blair Calloway, Clinicians

2:45-3:45 pm

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Centers in the Music Room - Denise Gagne, Clinician

2:45-3:45 pm

ABA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 Rockin' the Middle School Band: Turning Up the Fun Factor in Music Education! Michelle McDonald, Clinician

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 31

Friday, January 19, 2024 2:45-3:45 pm

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Exploration! Improving Your Choral Sound with Vocal Placement/Seating Techniques Damion Womack, Clinician

2:45-3:45 pm

ABA Concert Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 Fairhope High School Wind Ensemble - Meredyth Petersen, Conductor

2:45-3:45 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 Casting a Wider Net: How and Why We Need to Offer More for Our Students, Panel Discussion Rob Lyda, Moderator

4:00-4:25 pm

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Promoting Black Excellence in the Music Classroom, Lillian Kennedy & Jamal Kennedy, Clinicians

4:00-4:25 pm

ABA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 Taming your Flute Section's High Register - Heather Small, Clinician

4:00-5:00 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 Teaching Ukulele Through Popular Music Education - Scott Burstein, Clinician

4:00 - 5:00 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 The Value of the Music Connection - Mary Land, Clinician

4:00-5:00 pm

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 When Inspiration Won’t Strike: Programming in the Modern World - Morgan Luttig, Clinician

4:00-5:00 pm

AOA Business Meeting, VBC South Meeting Room 2 Joseph Lee, Presiding

4:00-5:00 pm

HED Student Showcase Recital, VBC Mars Music Hall

4:35-5:00 pm

ABA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 It's More than Band... - David Caddell, Clinician

4:35-5:00 pm

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Let's Play! Taiko Drumming in the Music Classroom - Jamal Kennedy, Clinician

5:30-6:30 pm

UAB Alumni Reception, Embassy Suites Big Spring A

5:30-6:30 pm

University of Alabama Alumni Reception, Embassy Suites Big Spring D

7:00-9:15 pm

AMEA General Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 AMEA Awards Elementary All-State Choir Alabama Honor Choir

7:45-8:45 pm

ABA Concert Session, VBC Mars Music Hall Jacksonville State University Brass Band - Casey Thomas, Conductor

9:30-11:00 pm

President’s Reception, Embassy Suites Big Spring AB

Saturday, January 20, 2024 8:00-9:00 am

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! 2 Part Repertoire to Get Your Choir Moving - Greg Gilpin, Clinician

8:00-9:00 am

ABA Business Meeting, VBC South Ballroom 1 Lori Hart, Presiding

8:00-9:00 am

HED Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 1 Virtual Instruments and their Actual Capacities - Lee Johnson, Clinician

ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 32

Saturday, January 20, 2024 8:00-9:00 am

AVA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Rehearsing the Out-of-Balance Choir - Greg LeFils, Clinician

8:00-9:00 am

COLLEGIATE Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 3 Operation Battery Pack: Engagement and Excellence in Ensemble Settings - Morgan Luttig, Clinician

8:00-9:00 am

AOA Reading Session, VBC South Meeting Room 2

9:15-10:15 am

AVA Concert Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 Hartselle High Schoo Chamber Choir - Kate Dupuis, Conductor Indian Springs School Chamber Choir - Lee Wright, Conductor

9:15-10:15 am

AMEA Interest Session, VBC, South Ballroom 4 Integrating Hip-Hop Into Music Education - Scott Burstein, Clinician

9:15-10:15 am

AOA Interest Session, VBC South Meeting Room 2 Theory is Awesome - Brenda Brenner, Clinician

9:15-10:15 am

ELEM/GEN Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 5 Buckets of Fun - Denise Gagne Clinician

9:15-10:15 am

ABA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 1 Teaching the Band You Have to Develop the Program You Want John Hillsman, Regina Raney, Harry McAfee, Heather Palmer, and Gena Nix, Clinicians

9:15-10:15 am

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 2 Digital Symphony: Mastering Classroom Composition with DAW-some Tools! - Michelle McDonald, Clinician

9:15-10:15 am

HED/Collegiate edTPA Lesson Plan Competition, SVBC South Ballroom 3

10:30 am-12:00 pm

Lightning Round, VBC South Ballroom 1

10:30 am-4:30 pm

AMEA Interest Session, VBC South Ballroom 4 Modern Band 101 - Scott Burstein, Clinician

10:45-1:45 pm

ABA Concert Session, VBC East Hall 1&2 All-State Jazz Bands

1:00-3:00 pm

ABA Adjudicator’s Clinic, VBC South Ballroom 1 Joel Henson, Clinician

1:00-3:00 pm

AMEA Governing Board Meeting VBC South Meeting Room 1 Rob Lyda, Presiding

Blount Awards & Engraving Your Awards Source! Trophies, Plaques, Medallions and much more! We specialize in awards for your musical events – band, choral, orchestra, jazz, classroom – festivals, beauty pageants, any event or recognition 316 1st Avenue East Oneonta, AL 35121 (205) 625-6100 blountawards@otelco.net Owned by David & Kathy Bearden AMEA member October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 33

2024 Conference Featured Clinicians and Speakers Keynote Speaker: Scott Burstein Dr. Scott Burstein is the National Director of Teaching and Learning for the nonprofit Music Will. His duties include managing Music Will’s musical content, curriculum, and professional development. Previously, he taught 12 years in Los Angeles. Scott studied music at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the Eastman School of Music, and received his DMA in Music Education at the University of Southern California. While primarily a guitarist, he performs on a variety of instruments. Elementary All-State Choir Clinician: Greg Gilpin Greg Gilpin is a celebrated ASCAP award-winning choral composer and arranger and a highly respected choral conductor. He is known throughout the United States for leading performances at New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as well as Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. His international appearances include the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, Royal Festival Hall in London, England, and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland. Mr. Gilpin is also a producer and musician in the recording industry and is Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, a distinguished choral publisher. In 2020, Mr. Gilpin’s “pandemic pivot” took him down an additional career path by becoming certified as a financial coach and a certified Boss Organizer, creating his own professional organizing business, Maestro Organizing. This work has led to appearances on Fox and NBC network affiliates. Mr. Gilpin can also be seen on the hit TV show “Hoarders”, alongside Dorothy Breininger, renowned producer and organizer. In 2021, Mr. Gilpin wrote the score for the award-winning short film, “Rosie’s Rescue” and was awarded “Best Score” for this same movie. He also teamed up with well-known opera singer, Angela Brown, and created the world premiere of a thrilling new arrangement of “What Child is This?”, debuted by Ms. Brown and the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. The music world is coming back to life and Mr. Gilpin is excited to be teaching, composing, conducting, and organizing! He is a proud member of ACDA, NAfME, SAG-AFTRA, and is a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Alabama Honor Choir Clinician: Valerie Reese Harris An Alabama native, Valerie Reese Harris is currently a professor of music and Director of Choirs at Miles College. Before securing the position in 2016, she earned a BA and excelled as a classical pianist at the University of Montevallo (Montevallo, AL), where she was quickly recognized and offered the position of university accompanist after graduation. Valerie also earned a MA with Distinction in Music and Worship from Liberty University. Valerie’s musical partnerships with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Tuskegee University, Alabama A & M University, Birmingham-Southern College, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a host of other professional music forums in teaching and accompaniment continues to grow. She has also worked with renowned arranger and conductor Henry Panion, III by serving as choral director for several projects he has authored. April 2017, Valerie partnered with Maestro Stacey V. Gibbs as co-composer and accompanist on the composition, Freedom, which had its world premiere on the stage of Carnegie Hall. Professor Harris has served several churches as Minister of Music with duties ranging from conductor, pianist, and coordinator of music and worship ministries. As the Director of the Miles College Choir, she has strengthened its program by growing its membership and diversifying the repertoire. Her choir was selected amongst other university choirs within the state to perform at the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Southern Regional Collegiate Festival and the Alabama Bicentennial Celebration (2019). Featured Speaker: Rob Deemer Recipient of the 2018 ASCAP Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Internet Award, Rob Deemer is a composer, conductor, educator, author, and advocate. His works have been commissioned and performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the President’s Own Marine Band, the U.S. Army Orchestra, the Rasçher Saxophone Quartet, loadbang, Akropolis Reed Quintet, and Gaudete Brass. His work as an advocate for composers from underrepresented demographic groups led him to create the Institute for Composer Diversity at the State University of New York at Fredonia. His work with the Institute for Composer Diversity has culminated in partnerships with the League of American Orchestras, the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, the American String Teachers Association, and the Midwest Clinic. Deemer is Professor and Head of Composition as well as the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the State University of New York at Fredonia and serves as the chair of the National Association for Music Education Repertoire Diversity Initiative and the New York State School Music Association Composition & Songwriting Committee. ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 34

2024 Conference Clinicians and Speakers Jerome Jennings, All-State Gold Jazz Band

Matt Leder, All-State Bronze Jazz Band

Jerome Jennings is a drummer, activist, bandleader, sideman, and Emmy Award-winning composer. His debut recording ‘The Beast’ is a reflection of the everyday joys and traumas of black life in the U.S. It was named one of the top three Jazz releases by NPR, received a four-star rating in Downbeat Magazine, and was nominated for the prestigious French ‘Grand Prix du Disque’ award for Album of the Year in 2016. Jerome’s sophomore recording, ‘Solidarity’, released in November 2019 was recognized by NPR as the best music that spoke truth to power of 2019. Jerome is a pertinent performer. To date, Jerome has performed, toured, and recorded with legendary musicians like Sonny Rollins, Hank Jones, Gerald Wilson, Christian McBride, Ron Carter, George Cables, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wynton Marsalis (J@LC), The Count Basie Orchestra, Philip Bailey, Henry Butler, and countless others. He has also made recordings and shared the stage with contemporary musicians Sean Jones, Camille Thurman, Jazzmeia Horn, Tadataka Unno, Christian Sands, Charenee Wade, and Bokani Dyer to name a few. He has composed music for and is musical director for Maurice Chestnut’s dance production Beat’s Rhymes and Tap Shoes. In the summer of 2007, Jerome earned a MM from the prestigious Juilliard School in Manhattan NY.

Dr. Matt Leder is an avid educator and is a indemand guest artist/clinician who performs throughout the United States. Dr. Leder holds a DA in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado, an MM in Jazz Studies from the University of New Orleans, and a BM in Jazz Performance from East Carolina University. While at UNO, Leder was a member of the “Louis Armstrong Quintet,” funded through the Armstrong Foundation. Dr. Leder has studied with Ellis Marsalis, Clyde Kerr, Irvin Mayfield, and many others. He has a passion for the music and culture of New Orleans. Dr. Leder’s dissertation, “Towards An Informed Pedagogy of Modern New Orleans Style,” describes New Orleans style and offers possibilities of adding this syntax of jazz into the modern classroom. Summer 2017, Dr. Leder was invited to be a National Endowment of Humanities Summer Scholar at Tulane University in New Orleans and summer of 2020 he was named a CMS NextGen Teaching Fellow through NAMM. Dr. Leder was named a GRAMMY Educator of the Year Quarterfinalist for 2021 and 2022. Dr. Leder has been a professional musician for over 20 years and performs all genres of music. Leder served over eight years as a Navy musician and four years as an Air Force Dr. Leder has been music faculty at Calhoun Community College since August 2022. Prior to this appointment, he served as Music Director/Instructor at Gadsden State Community College and was the director of the award winning GSCC Show Band. Dr. Leder served as Chair of the Music Department at Northern New Mexico College and has held faculty positions at Brown University, University of Colorado at Denver, Community College of Rhode Island, and St. George’s School.

Chris Kozak, All-State Silver Jazz Band Christopher Kozak is associate professor and director of jazz studies at The University of Alabama. He holds both an MM in jazz arranging and composition and a BM in African-American jazz studies in double bass performance from the University of Massachusetts. While at UMASS he studied Jazz Composing and Arranging with Jeff Holmes and double bass with renowned Double Bassist and composer Salvatore Macchia. He also studied advanced Improvisation Techniques with saxophonist Chris Merz and multi-reeds artist Adam Kolker. Professor Kozak was also a composition student of Yusef Lateef and his methods of Autophysiopsyhic Music. Previously, Professor Kozak was an active performer in the Northeast music scene on the Acoustic and Electric Bass in Jazz, Contemporary, and Popular styles. Since his hire at The University of Alabama, he has maintained an active role as a performer. He was a Downbeat Jazz Award recipient in 2000, 2001, and 2002 with the UMASS Studio Orchestra on double bass. He is a former faculty member of Springfield College, Holyoke Community College, and is a current member of the CMENC, ABA, AMEA, and Jazz Education Network. He also remains active as a clinician and high school jazz festival adjudicator at the regional, national, and international levels. As the current director of the University of Alabama Jazz Ensemble, he has taken the Ensemble to various Festivals such as the GA/Athens Twilight Jazz Festival, Notre Dame Jazz Competition, and to the 1st Annual Jazz Education Network Conference in St. Louis, MO. Professor Kozak has been on faculty at The University of Alabama since 2005.

Ben Posey, All-State Middle School Jazz Band Dr. Benjamin Posey is in his 7th year as the assistant band director at Robert F. Bumpus Middle School. During this time, he has directed the Bumpus Jazz Band at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Student Jazz Band Festival where the Bumpus Jazz Band received Superior ratings from all adjudicators as well as “The Band of Distinction” trophy awarded to the highest scoring middle school jazz ensemble for two consecutive years. Prior to the opportunity to work in the Hoover City Schools, Mr. Posey served for five years as the Director of Bands and Music Education Programs at Birmingham-Southern College. At BSC, he directed the college’s Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and multiple chamber ensembles while overseeing all students pursuing degrees in the Bachelor in Music Education. Mr. Posey also serves as the Chairman of the Jazz Division of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. Mr. Posey received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Samford University, a Master of Arts in Education specializing in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education from Auburn University. He lives in Hoover with his wife, Rebekah, their two daughters, Maddy and Aubrey, and their son, Jonathan.

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 35

2024 AMEA Performing Groups Located in rural Madison County, the Buckhorn cluster band programs have more than tripled in size over the last decade to include over 600 students 6-12, with three directors teaching at four schools. Their programs take pride in bringing together students from widely varying socioeconomic backgrounds, having overcome many of the same obstacles our self-funded rural counterparts face throughout the state. A motivating factor in applying to perform at AMEA has been to show all bands, regardless of size and resources, what is possible when music educators, educational leaders, and community stakeholders work together to do what is best for students - which we know must include support for the arts. The Buckhorn High School Wind Ensemble is a testament to the fruits of those labors. Established in 2016 as a purely volunteer extracurricular group, it has become the school’s premiere instrumental ensemble with auditioned membership limited to approximately 60 students from 9th-12th grade. The mission of its founding was to not only give its students the opportunity to explore much more challenging literature and gain a deeper musical experience in a tightly-knit team, but more importantly to increase students’ emotional sensitivity, work ethic, and mental grit - so as to better prepare them for post-secondary instrumental opportunities and a myriad of life challenges. For its first four years, the group rehearsed after school only twice-a-week for two hours. Since becoming a spring semester course in 2020, both the wind ensemble and symphonic band do not meet outside of their daily 80 minute class. This intentionally increases rigor in the classroom while leaving after school hours for students to prioritize family and academics. Students have more flexibility to participate in other performing arts opportunities and worthwhile activities including sports, clubs, religious affiliations, and part-time jobs. Since its inception - and despite its limited rehearsal time - the wind ensemble has received all superior ratings at ABA Music Performance Assessments while performing a wide variety of classical and contemporary grade 4-6 literature. Through intentional collaboration, the 6-12 programs have vertically-aligned music and character standards while fostering a culture of family, discipline, delayed gratification, servant leadership, and careful cultivation of our motto traits: “Integrity, Tenacity, Artistry”. We believe these efforts are what have seen the entire program grow not only in enrollment but more importantly in achievement, both inside and outside of the band room.

Serving the City of Enterprise and students from nearby Ft. Rucker, Dauphin Jr. High School is one of two 7th and 8th grade Junior High Schools in the Enterprise City School System. Its students represent a diverse learning community where students are encouraged to explore their abilities while developing a plan for their future. The band programs at Dauphin and its sister school, Coppinville Jr. High School, are identical, each featuring three beginning band classes, separated by instrument family for a semi-homogenous beginning band experience for the 170 students enrolled in the beginning band curriculum. The second year band studies at each school feature Concert, Symphonic, and curricular Jazz Band courses. Students from these programs feed Enterprise High School, where they will participate in one of their four Concert Bands and the Enterprise Big Blue Band. The Dauphin Jr. High Symphonic Band exists as an Advanced class in the Dauphin Jr. High curriculum and is designed to provide individualized second year instruction for our band members. Since its inception the Symphonic Band has never scored less than Superior Ratings at Alabama Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessment, adding to the consistent Superior Ratings earned by Dauphin concert bands prior to the development of this auditioned ensemble. Students in the Dauphin Symphonic Band are routinely selected for All State, All District, and Regional Honor Band Festivals where they continually display the simple motto of our band program: Choose Excellence. The Fairhope High School Wind Ensemble is the premier instrumental ensemble at Fairhope High School. Students are selected through a rigorous audition process that determines placement in either the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, or Concert Band. The Fairhope Wind Ensemble has earned superior ra:ngs at the Alabama Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessment for more than 30 years. Additionally, the Wind Ensemble has performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association Annual Conference in 2005. Students in the Fairhope High School Wind Ensemble are regularly selected for the Alabama All-State Bands, the Alabama District VII Honor Band, Baldwin County Honor Band, and numerous university honor bands throughout the state, region, and nation. Graduates of the Fairhope Wind Ensemble have gone on to professional careers in music performance, music education, jazz, and the music industry – many attending some of the finest music schools in the nation. In addition to the Wind Ensemble, the Fairhope band program includes the Symphony Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the Fairhope High School Buccaneer Band. ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 36

2024 AMEA Performing Groups The Hartselle High School Chamber Chorale began in 2014 as an extracurricular choir that gave dedicated singers the opportunity to challenge themselves musically outside of the regular school day. Since then, Chamber Chorale has been added to the daily class schedule and has grown considerably. Today, the group is comprised of 50 auditioned young men and women who are committed to choral excellence. Students in this ensemble represent the most advanced voices in the Hartselle High School Choral Department and are regularly selected for All State and Honor Choirs throughout the region. The Hartselle High School Chamber Chorale performs at all departmental concerts, school, and community events, and regularly accepts invitations to perform at venues across North Alabama. Each spring, the Chamber Chorale performs with the HHS Choral Department at State Choral Performance Assessment where they have consistently received superior ratings.

The Hewitt-Trussville High Chamber Choir originated in the fall of 2010. Since its inception, the Chamber Choir has scored all Superior ratings at State Assessment. They frequently perform for civic organizations and churches in the community. December is a particularly busy time as they perform for local television, several downtown hospitals, and the Birmingham Airport. Spring can be busy as well, performing at Talladega Raceway or at our Capitol in Montgomery. The group represents many facets of the HTHS student body. Members are participants in band, jazz band, athletics, theater and other various student organizations.

The Chamber Choir is the flagship choral ensemble of Indian Springs School. Founded in 1980, five years after Springs began admitting women, the Chamber Choir has represented the school at state, regional, and national conferences and competitions in cities such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, and New York City, and has also traveled abroad to destinations in Europe and Asia. Recent highlights of the Indian Springs Chamber Choir include performances with the choirs of Mississippi State University and Northwestern State University (LA), a performance of Mozart’s Coronation Mass, as well as receiving the highest overall score awarded at the District III State Choral Performance Assessment in the Spring of 2023.

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 37

2024 AMEA Performing Groups The A Cappella Choir is Jacksonville State University’s flagship ensemble performing a wide variety of standard choral literature from all musical periods, contemporary art music, and world music. Founded in the 1950s, the A Cappella Choir tours annually and participates in events hosted by the Alabama American Choral Directors Association and Alabama Music Educators Association. The A Cappella Choir is an auditioned ensemble comprised of students from various disciplines across campus. Current members hail from Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Papua New Guinea and are majoring in music education, music performance, theatre, film, communication, business, computer science, English, history, exercise science, and integrated studies.

The Jacksonville State University Brass Band is a true “British-style” brass band, in that it incorporates cornets, tenor horns, and true baritones. It is the only collegiate brass band in the state of Alabama and is only the second brass band overall in the state. The Brass Band is an offshoot of the JSU Brass Choir, which has been in existence since the early 1950’s. The JSU Brass Band, in only their second month of existence, competed in the Third Section of the 2022 North America Brass Band Association Championships and placed fourth (missing third place by a quarter of a point). In April of 2023, it again competed in the Third Section of the NABBA Championships, this time winning the section with a score of 91.5.

The Kitty Stone Singers elementary choir, under the direction of Cheryl Wight, consists of fourth through sixth grade students who meet once a week after school. The ensemble has been a fixture in the Jacksonville City School system throughout the school’s history. The Kitty Stone Singers have participated in a variety of events including the Jacksonville State University Honor Choir Festival, the ACDA Young Voices Festival, the AMEA Elementary Music Festival, the annual Lighting of the Jacksonville Christmas Tree, as well as 2 concerts each year for parents and community members. The choir enjoys performing a wide range of choral repertoire, exploring different languages and cultures.

Since Northridge High School opened in 2003, the NHS Band has grown to become an award-winning program for marching, jazz and concert band. The Jaguar Pride Marching Band performed in the 2016 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans and the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando. The band recently performed in the 2023 National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C. The concert program has consistently produced numerous all-state and district honor band students. Most recently, Northridge had 17 students qualify for the 2023 All-State Band. Northridge has also been represented in the All-State Jazz Band and All-State Orchestra. The Northridge High Symphonic Band participates annually in Music Performance Assessment, receiving superior ratings for each of the last 8 years. In May of 2019, Northridge traveled to Gatlinburg to compete in the Smoky Mountain Music Festival. The Northridge Jazz Ensemble won the top prize in the Intermediate Jazz Division while the Symphonic Band was the first-place winner in the large band division.

ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 38

2024 AMEA Performing Groups The Pinson Valley High School Percussion Ensemble became active in the Fall of 2019 under the direction of Latrice Green. Based in Pinson, Alabama, this group of students strives to grow as musicians through various performances, workshops, clinics, and leadership opportunities. Some of their individual accomplishments include acceptance to and participation in various university honor bands, the All District and All County Honor Bands, and consistent superior ratings at Solo and Ensemble. Perhaps the most rewarding part of this group of students is our collaboration with the PVHS Drum Circle, who performed with the Alabama All Star Drum Circle for students with special needs at the 2020 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference. The PVHS Drum Circle and Percussion Ensemble perform together annually, and are a fantastic representation of student experiences at Pinson Valley. The Simmons Middle School band is made up of 285 of the best students that Simmons Middle School has to offer with two concert bands (honor band and concert band), jazz band, and our beginning band program. Simmons Middle School is one of two feeder programs into the award-winning Hoover High School Band, and the only Title One secondary school in Hoover City Schools. All of the bands at Simmons Middle School have enjoyed musical success, consistently earning superior ratings at the Music Performance Assessment and the Solo and Ensemble Festival. Additionally, the Honor Band has been selected to perform at The University of Alabama Honor Band Festival, the Southeastern United States Honor Band Festival at Troy University, and the Music for All Southeastern Regional. Band is an extraordinary outlet for students throughout the course of the school day, and a place where they feel they belong. In the Simmons Band, we truly believe in the family atmosphere of being in the band and want to build every student up for musical and personal success. We value the trusting relationship that we have with the Hoover Community to ensure that every student has access to the highest quality music education. The Thompson High School Wind Ensemble is the top performing wind band at Thompson High School. It annually consists of 40-50 auditioned wind and percussion members varying in the 9th-12th grades. This group consistently receives superior ratings at state performance assessment, has performed at various venues around the state of Alabama, and has even been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. The THS Wind Ensemble has also been selected to play at AMEA in the past, and is honored to be selected again.

An elite group of singers, this ensemble appears on and off campus at events such as the Renaissance Faire in Florence, on tour with the UNA Collegiate Singers, in collaboration with other groups such as the UAH Concert Choir and Huntsville Youth Orchestra, and as part of the Alabama ACDA Collegiate Choirs Festival. In the spring of 2009, they had the privilege of representing the University of North Alabama on the Department of Music & Theatre’s first international tour in its history, taking them to Italy. Since then, the group toured to Costa Rica in the springs of 2011 and 2019 and Ireland in spring 2013 as part of UNA’s Study Abroad program; they completed a second tour to Italy in the spring of 2015. They have been featured performers at the AMEA conference in 2006, 2013, 2016, and 2019, and sang on the inaugural Convocation program for the Alabama All-State Choral Festival last spring. 38

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 39

‣ Generous Scholarships Available for Music Majors and Minors ‣ All members of the Jaguar Marching Band receive a scholarship ‣ Music and Jaguar Marching Band scholarships are stackable with other USA Academic Awards

October 14, 2023 South Alabama Marching Band Championships November 11, 2023 Jaguar Marching Honor Band December 8-10, 2023 USA Concert Honor Band

Audition Dates January 6, 2024 February 3, 2024 March 16, 2024 April 6, 2024

Degree Programs BM in Music Education BM in Performance BM with Elective Studies in Music Business BM with Elective Studies in Specific Outside Fields MM in Music Education MM in Performance MM in Collaborative Keyboard Music Minor

To View Audition Requirements visit southalabama.edu/music or jaguarmarchingband.org USA offers in-state tuition to all out-of-state students awarded an admission scholarship for academic merit at the time of admission University of South Alabama, Department of Music | LPAC 1072 5751 USA Drive South Mobile AL 36688 | 251-460-6136 | usamusic@southalabama.edu

www.southalabama.edu/music | facebook.com/southalabamamusic

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 40

Alabama State University Department of Music Bachelor of Music Education Master of Education in Music Class A Alternative Certification available for students with baccalaureate credentials in a liberal arts program in music

P-12 Vocal/Choral P-12 Instrumental

Woodwinds Brass Percussion Piano Voice

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Alabama State University is an accredited institutional member of

NASM National Association of Schools of Music

MUSIC@ALASU.EDU

(334) 229-4341

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 41

AMEA 2024 Clinicians Tyler Arcari (b. 1989) is a composer, arranger, author, and clinician whose music is played around the world. He received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in music education from Troy University where he studied with composer Ralph Ford and Euphonium under Dr. Mark J. Walker. As a teacher, Tyler has taught at both the middle and high school levels. Tyler’s primary focus when writing has been for the young musician. He became passionate about and interested in the needs of developing musicians as a classroom teacher, and finds writing for musicians at this level to be very rewarding. Tyler’s music can currently be found published through Excelcia Music Publishing, Wingert-Jones Publications and Carl Fischer Music. His original works have been featured on Bandworld Magazine’s Top 100, All-State programs, as well as numerous state contest lists and events such as the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. As an arranger, Tyler has worked with many high school, university, and community groups as well as for professionals such as Carl Hilding “Doc” Severinsen and vocalist Holly Shelton. As a Clinician, Tyler regularly appears as composer in residence as well as guest clinician for honor bands. Currently, Tyler serves as the Director of Music Production and Editing at Excelcia Music Publishing LLC, Wingert-jones Publications, and RBC Publications. In his spare time, Tyler enjoys playing fantasy-world video games and building his own computers. He is an avid animal lover and lives in Lakeland with his wife Heather, their two rabbits named Maximus and Marshmallow, their peach cat named Otis, and dog named Hilda. Ryan Beach is a performer, practice coach, podcaster, and content creator whose mission is to help driven, hardworking, and creative musicians that are struggling to see progress in their musical practice by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of their work with the GOLD Method of practice organization. As an performer, Ryan has served as the principal trumpet with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra since 2014. Before that, he served as principal trumpet with the Indianapolis Symphony for one year. During the summers, Ryan has also been performing as principal trumpet of the Charlottesville Opera Festival. Ryan’s talent as a musician has led him to earn various awards. Some awards include winning the International Trumpet Guild conference solo and orchestral excerpt competitions in 2011, the second trumpet player in conference history to win both competitions in the same conference. Ryan released his first solo album, titled “Insights: New Music for Trumpet and Piano”, in early 2021. In addition to his abilities as a musician, Ryan also hosts a podcast titled “That’s Not Spit, It’s Condensation!” in which he interviews musicians and industry professionals to learn more about them as people and to get new perspectives on what it means to achieve success professionally as well as personally. As a content creator, Ryan curates a YouTube channel as well as other social media platforms to connect with others and share what he has learned in an effort to help others continue growing. Sam Becker is the band director at Hillcrest Middle School. Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, Mr. Becker graduated from Grissom High School in 2017 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Auburn University in 2021. While at Auburn, he served as the Mellophone section leader, freshman advisor for the AUMB, and mentor for United Sound. He performed with the Symphonic Winds, AUMB, pep band, and horn studio. Mr. Becker professional affiliations include AMEA, NAfME, and Kappa Kappa Psi. Most recently Mr. Becker was awarded the Nick’s Kids Foundation’s Teacher of Excellence. Brenda Brenner is Professor of Music Education and Director of the Jacobs Academy at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She specializes in string music education, teaching applied violin, as well as courses in violin and string pedagogy. Brenner received a BM and BME from Wichita State University and an MM and DMA in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music. In addition to her appointment to the Music Education Department, she serves as co-director of the IU String Academy, a position she has held since 1993. Her String Academy students have been featured in concerts in major venues throughout the United States and have presented tours throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. As director of the Fairview Project - a program in which every first and second grader in a Title I school learns violin as part of the curriculum - Brenner researches the cognitive, academic, and social outcomes of early instrumental music instruction. An active performer of chamber music throughout the United States, Brenner partners with her husband, organist Christopher Young. She also teaches and conducts at the IU Summer String Academy and is Assistant Director of the IU Retreat for Professional Violinists and Violists. Brenner is an active international clinician, is a Past President of the American String Teachers Association, and is on the board of the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Dr. Caterina Bristol is Assistant Provost and Dean of the Harold Lloyd Murphy Graduate School at Alabama State University. For over two decades, she has promoted diversity and equity in the arts and higher education. She is experienced in accreditation and serves on various commissions and boards. She is a member of the Commission on Accreditation (National Association of Schools of Music), a visiting evaluator for NASM, and on the Executive Committee of the Alabama Council of Graduate Deans. Dr. Bristol is an advocate of student knowledge and skill development through traditional instruction, experiential learning, and entrepreneurial activities. Dr. Robert L. Bryant III serves as Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Tennessee State University. A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Dr. Bryant has an established record of excellence in teaching in both K-12 and higher education. As a high school and middle school band director, ensembles under his leadership consistently earned ratings of distinction at numerous music performance assessments, festivals, and competitions throughout the United States. Dr. Bryant teaches music teacher preparation courses and music education master’s degree courses. His research interests include minority music teacher preparation, urban music education, music teacher job satisfaction and career longevity, and music technology. ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 42

AMEA 2024 Clinicians Dr. Laura Brown holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from Appalachian State University, a Masters of Music Therapy degree from Appalachian State University, and a PhD in Music and Human Learning in the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin. She has served on the faculty at Ohio University and Western Illinois University. Dr. Brown was the recipient of the Ohio University School of Music Outstanding Teaching Award in 2018. Her clinical experiences include working with children and adults with disabilities in both private practice and public school settings. Dr. Brown’s primary research interests include music therapy with children with autism and inclusive music practices in school settings. She has presented her research and conducted clinics at regional, national, and international music education and music therapy conferences, and her published research appears in the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, and General Music Today. As an active member of the American Music Therapy Association, Dr. Brown serves on the Academic Program Approval Committee and the editorial board of Music Therapy Perspectives. Jon Bubbett, received his BMEd from Troy State University and a MMEd from VanderCook College of Music. His thirty eight year career closed with twenty six years at Thompson High School in Alabaster, AL. His bands have performed for the Music for All National Concert Band Festival (2011, 2015) and the Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference (1997, 2009, 2014, 2019). He has served as a clinician participant for the Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference and the Midwest Clinic. Mr. Bubbett has concert band music published through Excelcia Music Publishing, RWS Music, Belwin, Eighth Note Publishing, and JonBubbettMusic.com. Sarah Burns, assistant professor of music education at Jacksonville State University, received her D.M.A. in Music Education from Shenandoah University (VA). She received the M.M.E. with Kodály emphasis from Capital University (OH) and the B.S. in School Music from Freed Hardeman University (TN). Dr. Burns has completed certification in both Kodály (Capital) and OrffSchulwerk (Memphis) with training in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, World Music Drumming, and Montessori music education. She teaches undergraduate/graduate music education courses and supervises intern and practicum students. Research interests include historical research in music education, community music making, shape-note singing schools, and geriatric music engagement. David L. Caddell is the Director of Bands at Echols Middle School where he is completing his 18th year in education. Under his leadership, the middle school band program has grown to include over 300 students (grades 6-8). Mr. Caddell’s bands have received superior ratings at the ABA Music Performance Assessment and have performed at music festivals in Atlanta, GA; Gatlinburg, TN; and Orlando, FL. He has served as guest honor band conductor across the state of Alabama. He has presented clinics at AMEA, All-State Band, and ABA Summer Conference. He also serves as a cooperating teacher for The University of Alabama.Mr. Caddell holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Music Education. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, and the National Bandmasters Association.

Blair Callaway is currently an Instructor of Instrumental Music Education at Jacksonville State University. He received his Master of Arts Degree from the University of North Alabama in Florence, AL and his Bachelor of Science Degree from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. Blair taught high school band for twenty-eight years in Georgia and Alabama. Blair is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Alabama Music Educators Association, American School Band Directors Association, National Band Association, Georgia Association of Jazz Educators, and the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Scott J. Casagrande was Director of Bands at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL and retired in June, 2021 after completing 33 years of teaching in Illinois Public Schools. He taught high school, middle school and elementary students in suburban, urban and rural settings over the course of his teaching career. Mr. Casagrande currently serves Music for All/Bands of America as a Music Education Consultant and National Festival Coordinator, as well as Coordinator of Affiliate Regional Music Festivals and Affiliate Regional Marching Events. He is also an Educational Consultant for MusicFirst and serves as an administrator for the Music Education Alliance and the Dr. William P. Foster Project involving the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association and Music for All serving bands in under-served communities. In addition, Mr. Casagrande currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the VanderCook College of Music. He is a Past-President of the National Band Association and served the NBA as a member of the Executive Committee for eight years. He also served the NBA as a member of the Revelli Composition Contest Selection Committee and as a contributor to the popular Selective Music List. Mr. Casagrande has been nominated and inducted into the prestigious American Bandmasters Association as well as the Phi Beta Mu International Band Fraternity and American School Band Directors Association. Mr. Casagrande and his wife, Janice, have two daughters, Mary and Julia. 42

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 43

AMEA 2024 Clinicians Francis Cathlina, D.M.A. (he/him) is a distinguished Vietnamese-American conductor and educator, known for his innovative programming that seamlessly weaves choral music with narrative. His transformative concert experiences invite audiences into a world where choral artistry becomes a powerful storytelling medium. A two-time GRAMMY-nominated educator, Dr. Cathlina serves as the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. He provides visionary leadership for the Choral Area, oversees the Doctoral and Master’s Choral Conducting program, and conducts the University Singers (flagship SATB choir) and Mazi (SSAA choir). As a first-generation musician, Dr. Cathlina’s Eastern heritage profoundly shapes his teaching. His dedication to collaboration and rigor has earned international recognition, including being named a 2023 National Finalist for The American Prize: Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting (College Division). The UofM University Singers, under his direction, have been selected to perform at the 2024 Tennessee Music Educators Association Conference. Early in his career, the Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA) designated him the “Young Director of Distinction.” Dr. Cathlina holds a D.M.A. in conducting with a vocal pedagogy cognate from the University of North Texas, an M.M. from Michigan State University, and a B.M.E. from Baylor University. Before his doctorate, he taught in Texas public schools, working with elementary through high school-age singers. He is deeply grateful for the steadfast support of his husband, family, and friends, who embrace his unique blend of Vietnamese culture and Western upbringing. Dr. Cathlina, his husband Kyle, and their fur baby, Coco, proudly call Memphis, Tennessee, their home. www.franciscathlina.com Andrea Cevasco-Trotter is the Director and Professor of Music Therapy at The University of Alabama; she has taught there since 2006. She researches the effects of neurological music therapy interventions on premature infants and is known for her research with the aging population. Her research has been published in medical and music therapy journals. She has served as a member of the Editorial Committee for Music Therapy Perspectives and Journal of Music Therapy as well as the Board of Directors and Examination Committee for the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Michael Chambless is in his ninth year as Director of Bands at Thompson Middle School, and his tenth year of teaching. Mr. Chambless is a native of Hoover, Alabama and a graduate of Hoover High School. Prior to his time at Thompson, Mr. Chambless began his teaching career at Hillcrest and Duncanville Middle Schools in Tuscaloosa, AL. His bands have consistently received superior ratings at the Alabama Bandmasters Music Performance Assessment. The TMS Symphonic Band has performed at the 2018 University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band Festival, the 2022 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference, and the 2023 Southeastern Regional Music for All Concert Festival in Atlanta, GA. His bands have also performed in Orlando at both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Mr. Chambless is also a two time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence. Mr. Chambless holds a Bachelors of Science in Music Education from The University of Alabama and a Masters in Education from the American Band College at Central Washington University. Band, Million Dollar Band, and studied saxophone with Dr. Jon Noffsinger. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, Alabama Music Educators Association, and Alabama Bandmasters Association. He currently resides in Helena, Alabama with his wife Cindy, who is a professional musician, and their daughter Caroline.flute classes. Dr. Erin Charles is the Director of Visual and Performing Arts and Upper School Band Director at Randolph School, a private PK-12 school in Huntsville, Alabama. As an arts administrator, she oversees faculty members in the Fine Arts Department who specialize in band, choir, theatre, and visual arts. She serves as an advocate for Fine Arts in the Randolph and Huntsville community. Dr. Charles also enjoys directing the Upper School Concert Band and her main instrument is clarinet. Prior to her position at Randolph, Dr. Charles was a professor in the Music Education Department at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Shane Colquhoun, Ph.D., is a Grammy-nominated music educator with a diverse musical background in music education and production. Shane is the Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Contemporary Music Styles at Alabama State University. He has published in General Music Today, the Media Journal in Music Education, and is the author of The Producers of Pop: A Comprehensive Plan for Studying Popular Music Producers.

Meredith DeVore has been the music specialist at Shades Mountain Elementary since 2016. At SMES, her singers have performed in the community and for state, local, and school board officials and participated in state festivals. She is certified in Orff-Schulwerk, Level I. She earned her Bachelor's of Music Education from Auburn University, graduating summa cum laude in 2008. Mrs. DeVore taught middle school choir for eight years, where her choirs consistently earned superior ratings at state and regional festivals, and her singers participated in All State and Young Voices Festivals. Mrs. DeVore coordinates the ACDA Young Voices Festival, and directs the Intermezzo Choir of the Birmingham Girls Choir. Mrs. DeVore is active in the music ministry at her church, Hunter Street Baptist. She is married to Elliott, and they have two children. She is a member of NAfME/AMEA, ACDA, and ACOE. ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 44

AMEA 2024 Clinicians Lexie Dishroon is a music educator in Birmingham, AL and teaches instrumental music and provides saxophone instruction to local schools and private students. She recently served as a graduate assistant at Samford University where she assisted with the Samford University Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and Pep Band. Additionally, she instructs mixed-grade ensembles at Heritage Christian Academy. Lexie has presented scholarly research, taught instrumental ensembles, and conducted at a variety of levels, ranging from elementary to international. Lexieâ€™s career aspirations are to shape the field of music education to be inclusive of all students of all abilities through her small business she recently started, Enabled Music Making. She received her undergraduate degree in music education from the University of North Alabama and completed her Masters of Music Education from Samford University. Ellary Draper is Associate Professor of Music Therapy at The University of Alabama. Dr. Draper has worked as a music therapist with a variety of ages and populations and as an elementary general music teacher. Currently she serves as the Chair of the Special Education Committee for the Alabama Music Educators Association. Her research focuses on inclusive music settings and is published in the Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Research in Music Education, UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education, General Music Today, and Ala Breve. She is a Faculty Fellow in the Collaborative Arts Research Initiative at The University of Alabama. She holds degrees in music education and music therapy from Westminster Choir College, Florida State University, and The University of Texas at Austin. Denise Gagne has taught instrumental, choral and classroom music from babies to College levels for 40+ years. She has degrees in music, education and Level 3 certification in both Kodaly and Orff. Denise has published many publications including Musicplay and Musicplayonline.com. Denise has been a workshop presenter in every Canadian province and territory and all 50 states, and has done hundreds of webinars worldwide since 2020. Denise is a virtual teacher via Musicplayonline – now in more than 10,000 schools in countries all over the world. She is a frequent guest teacher and works with the Red Deer Children’s choir. Greg Gilpin is a celebrated ASCAP award-winning choral composer and arranger and a highly respected choral conductor. He is known throughout the United States leading performances at New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as well as Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. His international appearances include the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, Royal Festival Hall in London, England and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland. Mr. Gilpin is also a producer and musician in the recording industry and is Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, a distinguished choral publisher. The music world is coming back to life and Mr. Gilpin is excited to be teaching, composing, conducting and organizing! He is a proud member of ACDA, NAfME, SAG-AFTRA, and is a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Dr. Joseph Gray is the Associate Director of Bands and trumpet instructor at the University of North Alabama. Before coming to Florence, he served on the music faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and as a senior instrumentalist with the U.S. Army Music Program. Dr. Gray is principal trumpet with the Shoals Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with the Huntsville and Chattanooga Symphony Orchestras. He has performed with orchestras across the country, including the Alabama, New Mexico and Madison Symphony Orchestras and held the position of Principal Trumpet with Opera Southwest. He has been involved in the drum corps activity for over 25 years. As a performer, he was a member of the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. As an educator, he has served on the educational staffs for the Academy and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. Dr. Gray completed his DMA in trumpet performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music where he was a recipient of the Eugene M. Bolz Fellowship. Dr. Gray completed his Master of Music at the University of New Mexico and his Bachelor of Music at the California State University, Long Beach. Andrea Hayter has been in the field of education for 12 years with experience both in elementary music and English as a Second Language. She has taught in private schools, public schools, and abroad. In 2019, she won the Teacher of Excellence Award from the Arlington Masonic Lodge for her work building community in the classroom. Her teacher training seminars help empower teachers with strategies to manage their classrooms and engage every student. Heather M. Henson graduated from Samford University and began her teaching career in Jefferson County at Gardendale HS, Oak Grove HS, and Pittman MS. She was the visual coordinator, clarinet instructor, and winter guard director for Brookwood HS for twelve years. The last sixteen years Ms. Henson has built a music program at American Christian Academy where she directs the Symphonic, Marching, Intermediate, Beginning, and Royal Bluezz Jazz Bands. She teaches HS Choir, Music Theory, MS Speech, and is the advisor for the Tri-M chapter. Professional memberships include the NAfME, NBA, AMEA, Women Band Directors International, and the International Clarinet Association. Michele Hobizal taught elementary music for 31 years in Texas and is currently the Lead Trainer for QuaverEd. She has a BME from Texas State University and is a past conductor of the Katy ISD District Elementary Honor Choir. She served two terms as the TMEA Elementary VP, is a Past Elementary VP for the TCDA, and is a cadre member of CEDFA. 44

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 45

AMEA 2024 Clinicians John Hillsman is a native of Tifton, Georgia. Upon graduation from Tift County High School, he attended Troy State University. He currently holds a Bachelor, a Master, and a Specialist Degree in Music Education from TSU (now Troy University). While at Troy State, Mr. Hillsman served as the drum major of the nationally recognized “Sound of the South” Marching Band. He has served as the drum major and a staff member of the McDonald’s All-American Band. Before accepting his current position as band director at Beauregard High School in Beauregard, Alabama, Mr. Hillsman was the band director at Hawkinsville High School, Westover High School, Washington County High School, and Jeff Davis High School. This year marks his thirty-ninth as a music educator in the states of Georgia and Alabama, and his ninth as the band director at Beauregard High School.

Jerell Horton has been the band director at Vestavia Hills since 2006. He is a graduate of Samford University. Prior to his appointment at Vestavia Hills High School, he served as the assistant director at Pizitz Middle School and Vestavia Hills High School. While at Vestavia Hills, the bands have consistently earned superior rating at District and State concert band assessments. The Vestavia Hills Wind Ensemble performed at the 2011 Alabama Music Educators Conference, and the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in 2013. The Vestavia Hills High School Rebel Marching Band performed in the 2010 London New Year’s Day Parade in London, England and the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. In January 2024, the Rebel Marching Band will perform in the Rome New Year’s Day Parade. The Vestavia Hills High School band was awarded the National Program of Excellence Southern Division Blue Ribbon Award presented by the National Band Association. Mr. Horton has served as an honor band clinician within the states of Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia. Mr. Horton is a National Board Certified teacher and was named to SBO magazine’s 2014 list of 50 Directors Who Make a Difference. Mr. Horton was honored to serve on 2017 and 2022 Music for All Tournament of Roses teaching staff. He is married to Monica Horton (also an educator) and they have four children, Madina Jaimes, Israel, Chism, and Loula Grayce. Lee Johnson is the Professor of Composition and Technology at Auburn University and has a deep commitment to the creation and presentation of symphonic, cross-over, hybrid, and virtual music in nontraditional ways. He has conducted and recorded his music with the London Symphony Orchestra at the famed Abbey Road Studios, The Russian National Orchestra at Mosfilm Studios, the London Session Orchestra, the Center for Contemporary Music Moscow at the Moscow Conservatory, and with numerous session orchestras and session musicians. His compositions have been performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Georgia Film Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Centre for Contemporary Music Moscow, the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, the Kings Bishop Virtuosi, the California Symphony Orchestra, the Vega String Quartet, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, the Alton Symphony Orchestra, the University City Symphony Orchestra, the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra, as well as ensembles from Auburn University, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, the University of West Florida, Minnesota State University, Saint Xavier University, and many others. Dead Symphony No. 6, composed and conducted by Lee Johnson, spent three weeks on Billboard’s Top Classical Albums Chart.

Aaron Jamal Kennedy is currently a 5th-year PreK-5 General Music Teacher/Show Choir Director at Oak Park Elementary School. Jamal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in Instrumental Music PK-12 at the University of North Alabama. During his time at UNA, Jamal took part in various ensembles, including the UNA Composition Studio. In 2018, he received an award from the AMEA Young Composer’s Competition. In 2022, Jamal was also the recipient of the Alabama Arts Alliance Grant. He is also co-owner of The Chromatic Duo, a podcast that advocates for Black Music Educators, with his wife, Lily.

Lillian Kennedy is currently a 5th year PreK-5 General Music Teacher/Show Choir Director at Woodmeade Elementary School. Lillian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in Instrumental Music PK-12 from the University of North Alabama. During her time at UNA, she participated in the UNA Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble/Group, and Shoals Symphony. Lillian was nominated as the 2022-2023 New Teacher of the Year at her current position and continues to promoteexcellence for her students. She is also co-owner of The Chromatic Duo, a podcast that advocates for Black Music Educators, with her husband, Jamal. Dr. Mary Land is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Music Education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She conducts the University Concert Band and teaches courses in instrumental music education. Before moving to higher education, Dr. Land was a public-school band director in Georgia for over twenty-five years where she developed an outstanding band program in Pickens County, Georgia. Bands under Mary Land’s direction have received invitations to perform at numerous music conferences and clinics. Dr. Land is an active adjudicator, conductor, and clinician throughout the United States and serves as a clinician for the Conn Selmer Division of Education. Her professional affiliations include: MSBOA, NAfME, IAJE, CBDNA, Pi Kappa Lambda American Honor Society. ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:32 AM Page 46

AMEA 2024 Clinicians Dr. Gregory W. LeFils Jr. is a visiting assistant professor of choral music education at Stetson University, in DeLand, Florida. His duties include teaching music education classes and supervising student teachers. Dr. LeFils holds a Ph.D. in music education from The Florida State University. Dr. LeFils’ professional experience includes directing two secondary choral music programs in Florida, conducting The Orlando Chorale and The Orlando Chamber Choir, and singing/soloing/guest conducting the Festival Singers of Florida. His research interests include teacher effectiveness, music teacher curriculum and training, and choral history. Dr. LeFils has presented over 20 state and national research and educational clinics throughout the region including the annual conferences of Music Education Associations in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida, as well as other various workshops for music educators in central Florida. His dissertation is entitled The History of the Stetson University Concert Choir. In addition to his roles as researcher and educator, Dr. LeFils maintains an active agenda as a speaker, clinician, and adjudicator across the region. Dr. Brenda Luchsinger is an Associate Professor of Music at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL, where she teaches horn, music theory and aural skills courses, and brass methods. Originally from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, she earned the degrees, BM in Applied Horn and Instrumental Music Education from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, MM in Horn Performance from the University of Florida, and DMA in Horn Performance from the University of Alabama. Dr. Luchsinger became the first horn player worldwide, certified to teach the Suzuki Method for horn in 2018. She serves on the Brass Committee for the International Suzuki Association and is the lead developer of the materials for the Suzuki Horn Method. She is a frequent lecturer, speaking at many regional workshops, state and national conferences, and international horn symposia. Dr. Luchsinger is also in high demand as an adjudicator, working with many local, regional, and international competitions. She serves as the International Horn Society’s Area Representative for Alabama, and as News Editor for The Horn Call. She can be heard on recordings with the Wind Symphony of the University of Florida (Durian Music, Stravinsky and Friends) and the American Wind Symphony (Music of the Americas). Her teachers have included Charles “Skip” Snead, Paul Basler, Patrick Miles, and Michael J. Arendt. Morgan Luttig is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Alabama. An active conductor, music educator, and clinician, Luttig is recognized for her service to the American Choral Directors Association, most notably as Honor Choirs Chair for the 2022 and 2020 Southern Region Conferences. Luttig previously served as Visiting Choral Director at her alma mater, Washington and Lee University, and taught K-12 choral and general music in Savannah, GA and Princeton, NJ. Luttig earned her PhD in Music Education (Choral Conducting) from Florida State University and a Master of Music Education degree (Choral Emphasis) from Westminster Choir College. A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Brooke Mason began teaching at Duncanville Middle School in 2021. Ms. Mason previously taught at Sipsey Valley Middle and High School from 2016-2019. Between her time at Sipsey Valley and Duncanville, Ms. Mason earned her Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Alabama. While at UA, she worked with the Million Dollar Band, and taught classes such as Teaching Instrumental Music, Teaching Brass Methods, and Basics in Music. Ms. Mason has presented research at the AMEA Conference, the GMEA Conference, and the NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. Harry McAfee spent 11 years building an exceptional program at Bottenfield Jr. High. He also had the experience of rebuilding the Shades Valley Band from 29 students to over 230 before moving to the award-winning Hoover High School. Mr. McAfee developed successful programs through effective means of recruiting, retention, planning, and teaching. He continues to teach privately and to mentor young teachers in the Birmingham area. He embraces opportunities to share his experience and expertise with young teachers struggling to develop their programs. Mr. McAfee was recently inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame. Michelle McDonald is a graduate of Troy University and started her teaching career in Ozark City Schools in 2007 as the director of bands for D.A. Smith Middle School and the associate band director at Carroll High School. Currently, Mrs. McDonald is the band director at Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools -Middle and co-directs the Music Industries program of the Tuscaloosa Fine Arts Academy at Bryant High School in the Tuscaloosa City Schools system. She is actively involved in com unity outreach to bring awareness and support for the performing arts, having served as the Director for the Dothan community band, founding board member of the Dale county performing arts Council, director of the Dale County community choir, and founding member of the Alabama Music Industries Education Association. Michelle McDonald has served as a clinician and adjudicator across Alabama and had the great honor of serving as a guest clinician for the Middle School SEUS Honor Band. Professional memberships include Alabama Music Industries Education Association, National Association for Music Education, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Women Bandirectors International, Music Will Teacher, and Alabama Music Industry Educators Association. Dr. Laura Moore is Chair of the Music Department at the University of South Alabama, where she also serves as the Director of Choral Activities and teaches conducting and music history at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Moore has served as the President of Alabama ACDA and Registrar for the Alabama chapter of NATS. She serves as a visiting evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and currently serves on the Board of Directors of NASM as Chair of Region 8. Dr. Moore is active as a collaborative pianist, adjudicator, clinician, music director, and church musician. 46

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 47

AMEA 2024 Clinicians Andrew Mills is a life-long learner and musician in his tenth year of teaching, the last four having been at Florence Middle School in Florence, Alabama. In addition to teaching, Andrew conducts the choir at Sheffield Methodist Church and directs music for Summerstock at the Ritz (Sheffield, AL). His career has afforded him opportunities to teach k-5 general music, beginning band, beginning piano, middle and high school choir, and undergraduate music methodology courses. In the classroom, Andrew strives to foster passionate, intelligent music-making that is responsive to students’ needs and identities. Andrew holds a B.S.Ed. in Music Education from the University of North Alabama, M.M.Ed from Gordon College, and is pursuing a PhD from Auburn University. Andrew's life outside of music is centered on his family, including his wife Suzanne Reese-Mills and his spirited sons Jesse and Rory. Jacob Morgan is an accomplished young music educator based in McDonough, Georgia. Under the direction of Jacob, the Union Grove Middle School (UGMS) Band Program has increased enrollment of the band program to its largest size in program history and has consistently earned Superior Ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation. While serving as Director of Bands at UGMS, Jacob was also elected to serve as the Band Chair for District VI of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), developed the Henry County Unit Plans, Learning Progressions, and Learning Targets for Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Middle School Band, presented professional development sessions to other teachers in Henry County Schools, and has served as a Mentor to new band directors in the county. As an advocate for education, Jacob has presented at the Maryland, Delaware, South Carolina, and Georgia Music Educators’ Association conferences. Jacob has also hosted and organized many different GMEA events, including District Band Auditions and Allstate Band Auditions. Jacob is a graduate of Kennesaw State University (KSU) with a Bachelors’s in Music Education and also serves as the Vice President of “The Marching Owls” Alumni Society of Kennesaw State University. Dr. Cara Morantz is Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She teaches the UAB Marching Blazers and Blazer Bands, directs the UAB Symphony Band, and teaches courses in music education and aural skills. Prior to her arrival at UAB, Dr. Morantz spent nine years in the public schools of Cobb County, Georgia, where she taught at both the middle school and high school levels. From 2005-2007, she served as assistant director of bands at Lassiter High School. She also served as assistant director of bands on the faculty at Cooper Middle School (2007-2012) and Durham Middle School (2012-2014). Gena Inglis Nix is graduate of Jacksonville State University. She was a member of the Leadership Staff in the Marching Southerners as serving as Drum Major from 1997-1999. Gena is currently in her 23rd year as band director. She is in her third as band director at Ohatchee High School. Previous teaching experience includes J.B. Pennington High School, Northwest Whitfield Middle School, and Gaston High School. Gena is an active member of NAfME, AMEA, and Sigma Alpha Iota. In 2022, and the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Gena served ABA District 2 as chairman and vice-chairman 20192022. Dr. Diane Orlofsky (Professor Emerita of Music and Music Education) recently completed her 37th year of teaching at Troy University where she was also the Director of Choirs (2006 -2022). She currently serves as the Graduate Music Education Coordinator/Advisor in addition to her role as half-time Lecturer. Orlofsky was the first recipient of the AMEA Lacey Powell Outstanding Music Educator award (2016) and she remains an active clinician, conductor, lecturer, adjudicator and researcher. She is currently writing a third book which focuses on the archival collection of Jerome Bruner at Harvard University. Heather Palmer is in her 21st year as a music educator in the state of Alabama. She has been the associate director of bands at Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham Alabama since 2004. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Samford University. Throughout her career, her bands have consistently earned superior ratings at Music Performance Assessment and other band festivals. Mrs. Palmer has been a marching band adjudicator, guest clinician, and guest conductor. She is a member of the National Association of Music Educators, AMEA, ABA, and the Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. Will Panter is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Wind Conducting at Western Michigan University, where he also serves as a Graduate Assistant. His time at Western has allowed him to serve as the Graduate Assistant Conductor with the University Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Bands. He also works directly in the teaching and leading of the WMU Bronco Athletic Bands. Before moving to Michigan, Panter served as the Assistant Director of Bands at South Effingham Middle School, where he worked with various concert, marching, and small ensembles. Prior to this appointment, Panter graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 2021. Panter was honored as a Presidential Scholar for his time at UGA and chosen as the School of Music Convocation Speaker. Leadership Development and Mentorship Programming are very important facets of Panter’s passion for creating new generations of capable and effective leaders. From various work in his undergraduate degree within UGA’s Center for Leadership and Service, spearheading a new leadership development curriculum for his middle school students, and continuing to provide resources for collegiate students at WMU and high school students across the state of Georgia, Panter enjoys empowering musicians to discover their true potential as leaders in the world. ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 48

AMEA 2024 Clinicians Regina Yates Raney completed her 33rd year in public education and her 22nd year as the band director at Austin Middle/Junior High School. Mrs. Raney earned her Bachelors of Music Education, BS in Math Education, and Master of Arts in Education from the University of North Alabama. She earned her EdS from the University of Montevallo. Mrs. Raney earned her National Board Certification in 2005. She regularly conducts honor bands throughout the southeast. She was the ABA District 1 Chairman. She holds memberships in NAfME, AMEA, NBA, ASBDA, Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Mu Epsilon, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Beta Mu. Male soprano and voice teacher Tamarceo Shaw is from Florence, Mississippi. He graduated from Simpson College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (Voice), Austin Peay State University with a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance, and Auburn University with an Educational Specialist degree in Vocal Music Education. Tamarceo’s research is in vocal pedagogy. He has presented his research at conferences through MTNA, ACDA, and NAfME. In 2022, he was awarded a Teacher Enrichment Grant by the MTNA Foundation Fund. Currently, Tamarceo is working on his Doctor of Philosophy in Vocal Music Education at Auburn University.

Jeanette Shorey is National Board Certified music teacher with over 2 decades of experience teaching general music, choir, Orff ensembles, and group guitar. Jeanette is an Arts Integration Specialist, an instructional coach, a National presenter and a mentor. She has studied Arts Integration at The Kennedy Center through their CETA program and has completed Orff Levels I & II. She has presented at MEA’s all over the country and mentors music teachers through The Happy Music Teacher Academy. Jeanette is the author of resource books, Stories That Sing and Stories That Sing Too! Dr. Brandon Slocumb is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Music at Huntingdon College where he was awarded the Dr. and Mrs. John N. Todd III Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2023. At Huntingdon, Dr. Slocumb teaches Low Brass, Music History and Music Education courses. His previous experience includes teaching at LaGrange College, BirminghamSouthern College, Alabama A & M University, and Samford University. From 2009-18 he operated a substantial low brass studio in the Birmingham area while working as a freelance trombonist. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Samford University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees in trombone from the University of North Texas and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Heather Small is associate professor of flute at Troy Univ. (AL) and a masterclass clinician in the southeast. She teaches music theory, class woodwinds, applied flute and directs the flute ensemble. In January 2023, Dr. Small conducted the Troy flute ensemble in a showcase concert at the Florida Flute Association Conference in Orlando, Fl. She serves as competition coordinator for the National Flute Association Newly Published Music Competition and is currently the Faculty Senate president at Troy. Her degrees include: BME, Oberlin; MM, Univ. of North Texas; DM (flute performance), Florida State Univ. Dr. Morgan Soja is the Director of Music Education at Samford University. She earned her PhD and MM in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her BM in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. She has certificates in Kodaly levels I and II, Orff Level I, II, and III, and GIML Introductions to MLT and Elementary General Music coursework. Soja is an active participant in the Supporting Beginning Music Teachers area of strategic planning and action of SMTE. She has presented frequently at state and national NAfME conferences.

Jonathan Steltzer is a saxophonist at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, GA with the 3rd ID Army Band. Jonathan has presented at various conferences including the International Saxophone Symposium, ClarinetFest, American Single Reed Summit, North American Saxophone Alliance Regional and International Conferences and the South Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, South Carolina, and Delaware Music Educator Association Conferences. In 2022, Jonathan was selected as a Grammy Music Educator Quarter-Finalist. Jonathan is a graduate of Kennesaw State University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Becky Warren served 40 years as a Band Director. She is the NDMEA Distinguished Service Award recipient and Founder of Warren Music Consulting. In Alabama, Mrs. Warren was active as ABA Chairman for Districts 2 and 3, President-elect of the ABA and President of AMEA. She served on the Board of NDMEA. She is the member of NAfME, NBA, NDMEA, MEA, and Phi Beta Mu. Becky has served as clinician, adjudicator, professional development speaker, and guest conductor in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, NorthDakota, SouthDakota, Illinois, Iowa, and the International Music Camp. Three of her clinics and numerous Chat Rooms have been presented at the Midwest. She has also been published in The Instrumentalist Magazine. 48

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 49

AMEA 2024 Clinicians Matt Weaver is the Director of Bands at Southside High School in Southside (Gadsden), Alabama. He is a 2012 graduate of JSU and a 2020 graduate of UWG. Under his direction, the Southside Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2018 AMEA Professional Development Conference. He and his wife Haley met while in the band at JSU. They have three sons, Benton, Pearson, and Callon. The Weavers reside in Southside and attend Rainbow Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Rainbow City, AL where Matt serves as Minister of Music. P. Justin White currently serves as the Interim Director of Bands at Samford University. Before Samford, Justin served as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Alabama and Director of Bands at Thompson High School. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and received a Master’s in conducting from the University of North Texas. While at UNT, Justin was a conducting student of Nicholas Williams, Dennis Fisher, and Eugene Corporon. In 2020, he was selected winner of The American Prize in Conducting and outstanding young band director by the Alabama chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Dr. Anne C. Witt recently retired from the University of Alabama, after a 53-year career of teaching music. She taught strings/orchestra in middle and high school in Austin, TX, before beginning her university career at the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Alabama. She has also taught private cello and piano lessons, and classes for retired adults. Her greatest joy comes from seeing her students succeed. Her degrees were earned at the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Austin. She is the author of A Rhythm a Week, a supplementary method for band and strings classes. After returning to her hometown in 2003, Dr. Witt organized a community initiative to fund the start-up of a strings program for the Tuscaloosa City Schools, called Strings in Schools. After 18 years, over 2500 students have participated, and several alumni have become music teachers. There are five full-time teachers in all middle and high schools, and the program has served as an inspiration for other school districts. She also began the Adult Strings program, the Adult String Weekend and Cellobration Day at UA. Dr. Witt has served as President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, National President of ASTA and state of Alabama ASTA President. She continues to be active in these associations, the All State Orchestra Festival and as a guest conductor. She is a frequent presenter at AMEA, focusing on practical topics in the “use it on Monday” category. She continues teaching young musicians as an active volunteer in the public schools. As an active performer, Dr. Hui-Ting Yang has performed throughout the Czech Republic, China, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. Hui-Ting received the Doctor of Music in Collaborative/Chamber Music and the Master of Music in Accompanying from Florida State University, the Master of Music in Piano Performance from Ohio University, and the Bachelor of Music Education from Taipei Municipal University of Education. Dr. Yang is currently an Associate Professor of Piano at John M. Long School of Music, where she serves as the Coordinator of Piano Studies and received the Troy University 2009 Faculty Senate Excellence Award.

Dr. Damion Womack, a GRAMMY nominated Music Educator has dedicated over twenty years serving as an inspirational and motivational conductor, educator, and administrator, at the elementary, middle, high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Dr. Womack has served as Director of Choral Activities at Mississippi College and Chair of Fine Arts and Director of Choral Activities at Huntingdon College. Currently, Dr. Womack has been reappointed as Director of Arts at The Montgomery Academy where he previously received the McLemore Award for Excellence in Teaching. Choral ensembles under the direction of Dr. Womack have performed by juried invitation for regional and national conventions of The American Choral Directors Association and The National Association for Music Education. Dr. Womack is in demand as a guest conductor and clinician. He has presented workshops and lectures for ACDA and NAfME conventions. His research topics include choral tone, unified and expressive singing, and word stress. Dr. Womack has conducted choral festivals for ACDA and MEA organizations across the United States. Dr. Womack currently serves as President- Elect Designate for ACDA Southern Region and ACDA National Youth Choirs Coordinator. In addition he has served on numerous planning committees for ACDA Southern Region Conferences. Dr. Womack holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC and holds Music Education degrees from Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University. Michael S. Zelenak PhD is Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education at Alabama State University where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses. He earned National Board Certification teaching chorus, strings, keyboard, guitar, and general music in Pinellas County, FL. He serves on the editorial board of NAfME’s Music Educators Journal, the Florida Music Educators Association’s Research Perspectives in Music Education, and is past-president of the Alabama Music Educators Association’s Higher Education Division. His research appears in Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council of Research in Music Education, and Music Education Research International.

ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 50

Greetings Music Friends! Our year has begun and now that we are back in the swing of things it’s time to renew or start a new chapter of Tri M! Did you know that Tri M is a nationally recognized honor society specifically for musicians in grades 6-12? Our students deserve all the opportunities and recognition that Tri-M can help provide. How to start a new chapter of Tri-M: https://www.musichonors.com • You need a Chapter Advisor. • Complete and submit and activation form. • Pay the Yearly Membership Fee $100. Benefits of Tri M: • Student Run Organization. • Gives Student Leadership Opportunities. • Helps Promote Music in the Community. • Give back to your Community through Music. • Looks Great on College Applications. Service Opportunities Idea: • Food Drive for your local food bank. • Benefit Concert for Toys for Tots or Holiday Toy Drive. • Free Music Lessons and Master Classes for younger students. • Concert Ushers. • Holiday Caroling. • Live Music at School Events. • Talent Show for the Community to benefit a charity. • Playing/Singing at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. • Performing at Elementary Schools/ Instrument Petting Zoos at Elementary Schools.

Being involved with Tri-M has helped me to teach the importance of community service through what we love, Music! I hope you will consider renewing or forming a new chapter of Tri-M at your school. Best Wishes for a fabulous year! Deanna Marshall AMEA Tri-M Chair dfmarshall@auburnschools.org

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 51

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 52

Selecting a Classical Saxophone Mouthpiece for Band Performance Introduction

flexible and a softer reed must be used.

When striving to produce a good saxophone tone, one of the most crucial pieces of equipment is the mouthpiece. There are many brands of saxophone mouthpieces being manufactured using a variety of materials, encompassing a wide price range and designed for performers at all levels of development. Beginning saxophonists usually play the stock mouthpieces sold with their student model saxophones. These synthetic mouthpieces are inexpensive, mass-produced and primarily designed to produce the basic sound. As a saxophonist progresses, the stock mouthpiece is usually replaced by one made of ebonite also known as hard rubber. These mouthpieces, which are somewhat more expensive, are made of a better material and with more craftsmanship, allowing the performer to attain a better tone. They also come in a variety of tip openings, facings and chamber sizes providing saxophonists with more opportunities to find a mouthpiece that better suits their particular playing style. Many professional saxophonists perform on hand-finished, hard rubber mouthpieces that allow for maximum expression and individuality.

The mouthpiece facing is the distance between the tip of the mouthpiece and the point where the reed and the mouthpiece separate. The longer the facing, the more mouthpiece the saxophonist will need to take into the mouth in order to line up the lower teeth with the position where the reed and mouthpiece separate. Due to this fact, a medium facing usually works best for most performers.

Tip Openings, Facings and Chamber Sizes When selecting a mouthpiece, the tip opening, facing and chamber size should carefully be considered. The tip opening is the distance between the tip of the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. Mouthpieces with small tip openings are easier to control, have a more stable pitch but require a harder reed. As the tip opening increases in size, control becomes more difficult, the pitch is more 52

The mouthpiece chamber is the internal cavity inside the mouthpiece and its design has a direct effect on tone and response. The chamber can be small, medium or large in size and have a variety of shapes from round to rectangular. A small, rectangular chamber will produce a brighter tone with more power. As the chamber size increases and becomes more round in shape, the tone will become darker and less powerful.

Mouthpiece Diagram Side View

Mouthpiece Diagram Bottom View

by Tracy Heavner

Classical Saxophone Tone When Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone, he designed the mouthpiece with a large, round chamber that produced a dark, round sound with little or no edge. His tonal concept gave the saxophone a beautiful solo voice that was also desirable in ensemble performance because it allowed the saxophone to blend properly with other instruments of the orchestra and symphonic band. With the formation of the jazz big band saxophone section in the 1930s, the design of saxophone mouthpieces changed giving jazz saxophonists the ability to play with more power and edge in their sound. This trait also carried over in to the classical arena as classical saxophonists adopted this tonal style to some extent. Modern day classical saxophonists still strive for a warm, dark sound but with the additional power afforded by the change in mouthpiece design. Before attempting to select a classical mouthpiece, the saxophonist must first develop a classical tonal concept. This concept can be developed by listening to prominent classical saxophonists perform in live concerts, lessons, master classes and from recordings. After this concept has been developed, mouthpieces can then be test played to see which one allows the previously established tonal concept to be achieved. Classical Saxophone Mouthpieces There are numerous saxophone mouthpieces designed specifically for playing classical music. These mouthpieces are usually made of hard rubber, have small tip openings and are played with medium to hard reeds. Their chamber design is somewhat October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 53

round in nature with several facings and tip openings available to meet the requirements of various performers. In addition to producing a good tone, several other performance aspects should also be considered when choosing a classical mouthpiece. Good response, intonation and control in all registers, amount of air resistance and if the mouthpiece is reed friendly are all important factors to consider when selecting a mouthpiece. Mouthpiece response, control and intonation in all registers, especially in the low and upper range of the instrument should be carefully examined. Many mouthpieces will sound great in the middle register but when playing in the extreme registers, both low and high, response may be poor. Also some mouthpieces, while producing a good tone on certain pitches, can be hard to control due to their chamber design, tip opening and facing. The result can be problems with squeaking, intonation and embouchure fatigue. Air resistance and reed friendliness are two other considerations that should not be ignored. The amount of air resistance a mouthpiece creates while being blown is an important factor in how comfortable it will feel when being played. Some saxophonists prefer a free blowing mouthpiece with little resistance while others like more air resistance. Reed friendliness refers to the ability of a mouthpiece to produce a good tone on a variety of reeds that have the same strength number but are not exactly equal in reed hardness. Since the strength number given to a reed by the manufacturer is only an approximation of how hard the reed really is, saxophonists need a mouthpiece that can play reeds that varying slightly in strength in order to avoid problems when rotating or switching reeds before a performance. Having a reed friendly mouthpiece will give the saxophonist peace of mind knowing that if a reed is damaged or dies before a big performance, another reed can be easily substituted in its place. Several popular classical saxophone mouthpieces used by professional performers and teachers are the Eugene Rousseau New Classic, Selmer Paris C* S80 or S90, Selmer Paris Soloist and the Vandoren Optimum. For ala breve

saxophonists who prefer the original tonal concept of Adolphe Sax, the Sigurd Rascher mouthpiece is designed to produce this sound. A sketch of the original Adolphe Sax mouthpiece can be seen below.

is often easier to determine which one sounds best using a recording since this allows saxophonists to focus their full attention on each example rather than trying to play and listen at the same time. When test playing any mouthpiece, saxophonists should protect it from marks or scratches caused by the teeth or ligature. If a mouthpiece is damaged in any way when it is test played, saxophonists may have to buy the mouthpiece even though they may not want to. To assure that the mouthpiece is not damaged when being test played, a mouthpiece cushion or tape should be placed on the mouthpiece beak to protect it from teeth marks.

Courtesy of Raschermouthpieces.com Selecting a Classical Saxophone Mouthpiece When selecting a classical saxophone mouthpiece, the performer must first narrow done the choices since it is difficult to play every brand of mouthpiece made. This can be done by researching various mouthpieces using the Internet, researching mouthpiece brands and models played by prominent saxophonists, getting recommendations from saxophone teachers and finally test playing mouthpieces at larger music stores that have them in stock. If the local store does not have the requested mouthpieces in stock, some online stores may ship several mouthpieces at once for individuals to try. Although this is not the most convenient way to select a mouthpiece, serious saxophonists should test play many mouthpieces before deciding on the specific one to purchase. When ordering mouthpieces online, some stores have a return policy that will allow the performer to keep the mouthpieces for up to thirty days. This is very helpful since the saxophonist can practice and perform on the mouthpieces in a variety of situations and venues such as rehearsals, sectionals, ensemble and solo performances. By playing the mouthpieces for several weeks, most of the time the saxophonist can be sure that the mouthpiece selected is the best one. If possible, each mouthpiece should be recorded while being test played. It

To protect the body of the mouthpiece, a leather or fabric ligature in the Rovner style, should be used so the mouthpiece will not be scratched when the ligature is placed on it. By following this advice, many mouthpieces may be test played without damage. If a satisfactory mouthpiece is found at a local store but the price is higher than buying the same mouthpiece online, the store manager should be asked if the online price can be matched. Many times the local store will sell the mouthpiece for the discounted online price.

Dr. Tracy Heavner is an internationally renowned music educator and distinguished performance artist having performed in more than fifteen countries on five continents as an artist for Cannonball, D’Addario and Jody Jazz Music Corporations. Dr. Heavner is a professor of saxophone, music education and jazz studies at the University of South Alabama where he has taught for the past twenty-eight years. He has published over 100 pedagogy articles in music journals and also authored two books. His most recent book is entitled Saxophone Secrets: 60 Performance Strategies for the Advanced Saxophonist published by the Rowan & Littlefield Publishing Group.

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 54

From the Alabama Jazz Collective...

Jazz Literature Reviews and Rehearsal Techniques

Part 1

Part 2 of this article will be published in the February/March 2024 Ala Breve

Greetings from the Alabama Jazz Collective! This article features literature reviews from Sallie White (Hoover High School), who is preparing her band to perform at Midwest, Blair Calloway, former Band Director at Heritage High School and Director of JSU Jazz Ensemble II, Dr. Steve Roberts (UAB), Chris Kozak (UA), and rehearsal techniques from Dr. Dave Camwell (Troy University) and myself. As always, please reach out to any of us if you have any questions or need assistance! Andy

Blair Calloway (bcallaway@jsu.edu)

arrangement, 101 Funk Street by Jamey Simmons, and I Should Have Known by James Miley. Each semester we feature a student from our Vocal Jazz class. This fall, we will perform You Can’t Take That Away from Me written by the Gershwin brothers. The selection of literature for this group comes from listening to older recordings as well as scouting YouTube and other platforms for the most current trends. Other places to find music is ijazzmusic.com; bravajazz.com; kendormusic.com; sierramusicstore.com and the other online music publishers.

Sallie Vines White (Swhite@hoover. k12.al.us)

As director of Jazz II at JSU, we are considered the more traditional big band style ensemble. It is important for us to explore the classic big band jazz tunes from all decades. I like to choose our literature from different time periods to give our students the variety of music that will prepare them for teaching jazz band after they graduate. While we use mostly standards, this ensemble plays from the original charts instead of more recent arrangements of these standards. They are performing the same notes, rhythm, style as the greats who made these tunes famous. Among the mix, we will also prepare some more current jazz tunes to keep in touch with what is going on in the jazz world today as far as composition and performance.

There are many wonderful sources for music selection for high school jazz bands. Since I have been frantically listening to music since April in order to select the program for my Hoover HS First Edition Jazz Ensemble’s performance this December at The Midwest Clinic, I feel like I have explored them all. Our program for Midwest was due and turned in on September 13. We are now locked in to our selections. I am very excited about our program, and I hope many of you will be able to attend our concert on Friday, December 22 at 1:30 PM. It is so special to have colleagues in attendance. Marcus Printup, who plays trumpet with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is our guest artist.

This semester we are working on Sweet Georgia Brown, the Count Basie Orchestra

For our performance at The Midwest Clinic at least 50% of the program must be music published in the past 2 years. As it turns

out, 60% of our program is from music published in the past 2 years. There is a lot of good new music out there. Also, at Midwest a band cannot perform any work that has been performed there in the past 2 years. For me this immediately ruled out several charts that I originally had in mind for the program. Bands are required to do at least one Grade 1 chart, and at least one Grade 2 chart. Bands may also use up to 2 publishers twice on the program but no more. Since many of my favorite arrangers publish music through the same publisher this also ruled out quite a few options. Our final program represents 7 publishing companies, and 10 different arrangers. When not selecting music for an event such as Midwest, the arrangers I play the most of are Mark Taylor, Alan Baylock, Mike Tomaro, Erik Morales, Oliver Nelson, Jeff Jarvis, Kris Berg, Paul Baker, and the Ellington transcriptions by David Berger. Mark Taylor writes a great variety of jazz standards arranged at various difficulty levels. He often opens his arrangements with a combo of several horns with rhythm section and then adds in the rest of the ensemble. Some of my favorites of his include Celia (Grade 5-6), Stolen Moments (Grade 3), and Song for my Father (Grade 3). Erik Morales is another one of my favorite arrangers. The arrangements he did of Dat Dere and Work Song are two of my favorites. We are going to perform Work Song on our program at Midwest this year. Mike Tomaro has tons of incredible compositions and arrangements. My favorite, a great Chick Corea tune, Crystal Silence, is just one of his wonderful arrangements. His original Blue Note Special is also a great one. Sierra Music carries some incredible works. October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 55

Some of their wonderful publications include Count Basie’s Kansas City Suite which include such selections as Vine Street Rumble and The Wiggle Walk. The Oliver Nelson arrangements they publish include such greats as I Hope in Time A Change Will Come, Penthouse Dawn, Stolen Moments, and Cyclops. I love all the numerous Alan Baylock charts I have played. Many of his arrangements that my band plays were performed at last year’s Midwest Clinic, so I was unable to include them on my program. His arrangement of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas in the style of Lil’ Darlin, and recorded by the Airmen of Note, is a classic. Paul Baker of Baker’s Jazz and More has some great new publications this year that I hope you will check out. We are performing one of these at Midwest. Jazz at Lincoln Center puts out some incredible music through their Essentially Ellington program. Each year there are 8 charts that are free downloads from their website to members. Membership is free and there are many educational online benefits. Also, every summer they host the Band Director Academy, which is an incredible opportunity to learn more about teaching jazz. I hope each of you are having a wonderful year and will include Jazz in your curriculum. Jazz truly is a national American treasure.

Dr. Steve Roberts (jazztpt@uab.edu):

The level of your performance is directly correlated to your level of preparation. Rehearsing, planning, studying, practice, and research can be tedious and timeconsuming, but ultimately rewarding. Being prepared will result in more confidence, more skill and an overall better experience for yourself and your audience. In the classroom setting with college students, empowering these students to ultimately ala breve

learn their parts on their own and proactively correct their own mistakes is a goal. By dissecting scores and developing plans, you can run a more efficient rehearsal and concentrate your efforts in the right places. We begin rehearsals by reviewing swing style, basic improvisation skills, reading charts and listening to recordings of professional big bands and historical jazz greats. The building block of most jazz music lines is the eight note - hence, we practice playing scales and thirds (up, down, up/down, down/up) with particular emphasis on articulation, accents on the offbeats. The ensemble plays a reading study from Dance Band Reading and Interpretation by Alan Raph that changes rhythms and keys with each bar. So that students may work on their counting skills, I have developed an exercise that focuses on one hit per bar, but moves the hit around rhythmically. This type of planning, preparation and consistent practice is synonymous with the type of work middle and high school students should commit to their auditions for the Alabama All-State Jazz Band. As a judge for middle and high school trumpets at All-State over the past decade, I have been tasked with ranking the recordings we receive. Missed notes on scales, playing the etude on the wrong harmonic or improvising over the wrong play-a-long piece indicates to your judges a lack of preparation for your recording. Submissions that have no scale mistakes, are clear stylistically of the etude, with well thought-out improvisations rise to the top. To submit the most high-quality recording possible, begin practicing your recording well in advance. Set a

schedule alongside your practice routine for regular recordings to listen to yourself advance. Older students, your band director, your parents and friends with musical experience, can provide feedback on your work over time. In improvisation, listening to a recording of the tune you are improvising over can help you “preplan” your own solos. Professionals often have an excellent idea of how they will perform their solos when they are playing previously rehearsed tunes. Contrary to popular belief, professional solos are not always made up on the spot. Receiving help from a colleague or mentor is advisable; however, playing a solo written by someone else can be seen as unprofessional. Finally, reviewing your submission carefully for glaring errors in advance can have a more positive outcome on your ranking in the All-State Jazz Band. Your success depends on your level of commitment to plan ahead, rehearse, and work toward perfecting your art and your enjoyment thereof!

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 56

Band Music Reviews I hope everyone has had a great start to the semester. I know many of you are busy with marching band season but may already be thinking toward spring and festival pieces as well. Below are three pieces I am excited to review. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! Proxima B (2023) is a grade 3 piece by Steven J. Pyter (www.spytermusic.com). Pyter is a music educator, composer, and arranger from the Chicago area. He holds degrees from Northern Illinois University and VanderCook College of Music. Proxima B was the winner of the 2022 National Band Association Young Band Composition Contest. From the composer: Where in the galaxy, other than Earth, could human life survive? Proxima B may be the answer to this cosmic question. The planet orbits the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, which is the closest star to our Sun. First discovered in 2016, NASA says “The exoplanet is at a distance from its star that allows temperatures mild enough for liquid water to pool on its surface.” This four-minute work is written in 3/4 and 4/4 time with a Bb Major key signature throughout. It contains some use of syncopation and frequent use of accidentals. Instrumental ranges are very comfortable for all instruments and can be performed with eight percussionists. After a mysterious introduction, a faster section utilizes flowing melodies on top of a rhythmic ostinato. This section is also characterized with block scoring moments featuring the woodwinds, followed by a call and answer section in the brass. The next section creates mysterious effects by using trombone glissandos and a flexatone in the percussion. Waves of sound are created by crescendos and decrescendos in the winds. The opening theme is then restated, which leads to a faster closing section that builds to climactic finish. Proxima B would be a great addition for festival or spring concerts. A recording and score to Proxima B can be found at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ4aSJSjQmY.

by Dr. Jeremy Stovall of the trumpet 1 and French horn 1 parts. However, alternate parts are provided in these moments, lowering the overall highest notes. Melodic lines are often cross cued in other instruments. The percussion parts can be played with as few as five players. Tribute would be a great lyrical selection for a festival program. A recording and score to Tribute can be found at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNIrtHF91OM. Ambush (2022) is a grade 4 piece by Dakota Pederson (www.dakotapederson.com). Pederson is a graduate of Indiana State University, and currently teaches band in northern Indiana. This piece was the winner of the 2021 Association of Concert Bands/John Philip Sousa Foundation Composition Contest. From the composer: This powerful and driving work describes the fight of war, and recounts a flanking ambush set out by soldiers as they close in on a victory. This four-minute work is written in 2/4 and 4/4 time with key signatures of F Major (d minor) and Bb Major (g minor). Instrumental ranges are comfortable for all instruments and can be performed with six percussionists. An energetic, rhythmic opening immediately grabs your attention. The first section consists of an add-on section, rhythmic hits in the winds, a timpani solo, and downward cascading effects. The middle section features a lyrical melody on top of muted hits in brass, alternating 8th note ostinati, woodwind flourishes, and a brass chorale on top of a moving woodwind line. The final section contains short solos for bass clarinet and oboe. After a recap of the add-on section, the piece ends with a wild uptempo coda, bringing the work to an aggressive, powerful finish. Ambush would be an exciting addition to a spring concert program. A recording and score to Ambush can be found at the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlziWqD58MU.

Tribute (2007) is a grade 3 piece by Travis Cross. Dr. Cross is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at UCLA, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and leads the graduate wind conducting program. Tribute was commissioned by the Southwest Iowa Bandmasters Association, and premiered by their eleventh and twelfth grade honor band, with the composer conducting. It is a lyrical work published by Boosey & Hawkes as part of their Windependence Series. This piece utilizes the key signatures of C major and Ab major, with little use of accidentals. It consists of two main melodies with relatively simple harmonic language, with a few alterations. The time signature is 4/4 throughout, with the eighth note being the smallest rhythmic value. Instrumental ranges are comfortable throughout, with exception 56

I look forward to hearing your ensembles in the upcoming year and wish the best for you and your students. Please reach out if I can ever be of assistance!

Dr. Jeremy Stovall Assistant Director of Bands Associate Professor Jacksonville State University jstovall@jsu.edu

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:40 AM Page 57

BELMONT UNIVERSITY

College of Music & Performing Arts

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUMMER PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS

Vocal Arts Intensive Camp (grades 9-12) | June 23-29

CAMP HIGHLIGHTS • Study and perform on a beautiful campus in the heart of Music City • Make new friends with music & theatre students from around the country • Experience personalized and group instruction with outstanding artist/mentor faculty • Enjoy performances by faculty and guest artists • Spend the evenings interacting with others at fun social activities

For more information visit us online at BELMONT.EDU/CMPA/ SUMMER-CAMPS To read Belmont’s nondiscrimination statement, visit BELMONT.EDU/NONDISCRIMINATION.

CMPA-230070

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 58

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 59

Choral Music Reviews A New Psalm (Soprano solo, SSA Chorus, and piano, or low brass quintet, timpani, percussion, and piano; also available for TTB) by Ken Berg Psalm 98 (Hebrew and English) Galaxy Music Corporation / ECS Publishing Catalog No. 1.3485 $3.15 Duration: Approximately 3:55 We are very proud to claim Ken Berg as one of Alabama’s finest musical treasures. A prolific composer and outstanding choral pedagogue, he is a fountain of wisdom, knowledge, skill, and unmistakable talent, all of which are evident in his setting of Psalm 98 (A New Psalm). Written for advanced choirs, it is not lacking in invigorating challenges with rhythm, meter, notes, text, and accompaniment. The accompaniment drives the composition with such energy, and it requires an experienced pianist who is not afraid of mixed meter. Without a doubt, the composition will have such great appeal to singers and listeners, and it is well worth the preparation. As implied previously, Ken Berg has innumerable compositions and arrangements that reflect his depth of musicality and diverse experiences in working with choral groups in various settings. A New Psalm is truly a fine composition that is not to be overlooked among his many other fine works.

The Music of Stillness (SATB div. and piano) by Elaine Hagenberg Text by Sara Teasdale (18841933)

ala breve

by Dr. William Powell

Oxford University Press X679 $4.00 Duration: Approximately 5:30

We will push and prevail With our goals to the skies. We will become the change, For we were meant to rise!

There will be rest, and sure stars shining Over the roof-tops crowned with snow, A reign of rest, serene forgetting, The music of stillness holy and low.

No obstacle or failed attempt Will turn us from our dreams. We will get back up And prove them wrong; Only then, only then will they see!

I will make this world of my devising Out of a dream in my lonely mind. I shall find the crystal of peace, – above me Stars I shall find. Among the many choral settings of Sara Teasdale’s poem There Will Be Rest, Elaine Hagenberg manages to create a relatively accessible composition set to her signature piano accompaniment style that beautifully complements her well-voiced harmonies. Hagenberg captures the intensity of the poetry through her wide range of dynamics and tempo fluctuations—both of which appear to be the most critical musical elements in this composition. At the very least, dynamic range and tempo changes are wonderful elements for choirs and directors to strengthen, especially with ensembles that aim to stretch themselves in these two musical elements. Rise (SATB and piano; also available in SSA) Performance/ Accompaniment CD available Music by Victor C. Johnson Text by Stephanie Valdez Heritage Music Press / The Lorenz Corporation 15/3317H $3.20 Duration: Approximately 3:20 It’s the beat of our hearts, It’s the gleam in our eyes. We will never give up, For we were meant to rise!

We will conquer our problems, No matter what the size, Because we have the strength, And we were meant to rise. No one can hurt us, Not with actions nor with lies, We will reach the highest height, We were meant to rise, Yes, we will rise! Victor C. Johnson is a skillful composer who understands how to write for developing choirs. His music is both accessible and challenging, and every composition or arrangement is filled with focused attention on certain musical concepts. Syncopation appears to be the primary musical concept in Rise. The compelling text set by Stephanie Valdez lends itself to emphasis that might only be achieved through the syncopation that Johnson sets. The slow and stately opening section allows the choir to carefully secure the syncopated rhythm when it is set in a dotted eighth note. The main section is set in a faster tempo where the syncopation then occurs with a dotted quarter note. Ultimately, the singers should better understand the principles of syncopation between the two tempo and rhythmic settings.

William Powell Director of Choral Activities Auburn University

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 60

AMEA Division Events

2023 - 2024

Alabama Vocal Association EVENT Fall Workshop All-State Auditions

OCS/ME

Solo & Ensemble

State Choral Performance Assessment

DATE

LOCATION

September 8, 2023

University of Montevallo

November 1-2, 2023

Christ Episcopal Church, Tuscaloosa

November 3, 2023

Gadsden City High School

November 6, 2023

Spring Hill Baptist Church, Mobile

November 7, 2023

Saint James School, Montgomery

November 8-9, 2023

Mayfair Church of Christ, Huntsville

District I: November 30

Virtual

District II: November 14

Virtual

District III: November 28

Virtual

District IV: November 28

Virtual

District V: November 27

Virtual

District VI: November 16

Virtual

District VII: November 28

Virtual

District I: March 20

University of North Alabama

District II: April 4-5

University of Alabama

District III: March 13-15

Hope Church Gardendale

District IV: February 16

Jacksonville State University

District V: February 22-23

First Baptist Church Huntsville

District VI: April 2

Tallassee High School

District VII: October 17

Spring Hill Baptist Church, Mobile

District VII: March 19

Spring Hill Baptist Church, Mobile

District I: March 20

University of North Alabama

District I: March 21

First Baptist Church Decatur

District II: April 4-5

University of Alabama

District III: March 13-15

Hope Church Gardendale

District IV: April 12

Gadsden City High School

District V: March 6-7

Grissom High School

District VI: April 2

Tallassee High School

District VII: March 19

Spring Hill Baptist Church, Mobile

Elementary/General Division August 26, 2023

East Alabama General Music Workshop

Auburn

October 27, 2023

Elementary Music Festival

Metropolitan Church of God, Birmingham

November 1-4, 2023

AOSA Professional Development National Conference

Albuquerque, New Mexico

January 18-20, 2024

AMEA Professional Development Conference

Von Braun Center, Huntsville

March 15-17, 2024

National OAKE Conference

Chicago, Illinois

AMEA Collegiate Division October 29, 2023

Collegiate Summit

Troy University

January 18-20, 2024

AMEA Professional Development Conference

Von Braun Center, Huntsville

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 61

Alabama Bandmasters Association DISTRICT

EVENT

LOCATION

DATE

Statewide

All State Jazz Recordings

http://www.alaband.org/

Oct. 31-Nov. 14, 2023

10/27/2023

AMEA Conference

Von Braun Center, Huntsville

January 18-20, 2024

1/6/2024

All-State Jazz Festival

Von Braun Center, Huntsville

January 18-20, 2024

12/5/2023

All State Solo Festival

Von Braun Center, Huntsville

April 24, 2024

3/1/2024

All State Festival

Von Braun Center, Huntsville

April 25-27, 2024

3/1/2024

District Fall Meeting

James Clemons High School, Madison

August 21, 2023

8/14/2024

All State/ District HB Auditions

Huntsville High School, Huntsville

January 26-27, 2024

12/22/2023

District Honor Band

Grissom High School, Huntsville

February 16-17, 2024

2/5/2024

MPA #1

Hartselle High School, Hartselle

February 27-29, 2024

2/6/2024

MPA #2

James Clemons High School, Madison

March 5-7, 2024

2/13/2024

Solo and Ensemble #1

Liberty Middle School, Madison

April 6th, 2024

3/16/2024

Solo and Ensemble #2

Priceville High School, Decatur

May 4th, 2024

4/13/2024

District Fall Meeting

Gadsden City High School, Gadsden

August 22, 2023

All State Auditions

Albertville High School, Albertville

January 27, 2024

District Honor Band

Albertville High School, Albertville

February 9 - 10, 2024

2/2/24

MPA

Gadsden City High School, Gadsden

February 27 - March 1, 2024

2/2/24

Solo and Ensemble

Boaz High School, Boaz

May 4, 2024

4/5/23

District Fall Meeting

Zoom Meeting

August 22, 2023

All State Auditions

Muscle Shoals High School, Muscle Shoals

January 27, 2024

District Honor Band

Russellville High School, Russellville

February 9-10, 2024

MPA

University of North Alabama, Florence

March 5-7, 2024

Solo and Ensemble

Muscle Shoals Middle School, Muscle Shoals

May 4, 2024

District Fall Meeting

Oak Mountain High School

September 11, 2023

All State Auditions

Hoover High School

January 27, 2024

District Honor Band

Oak Mountain High School

February 23 - 24, 2024

2/5/24

MPA #1

Oak Mountain High School

March 4 - 7, 2024

1/12/24

MPA #2

Thompson High School

March 11 - 13, 2024

1/12/24

Solo and Ensemble

Bumpus Middle School

May 4, 2024

4/12/24

District Spring Meeting

Oak Mountain High School

February 24, 2024

District Fall Meeting

Zoom Meeting

August 22, 2023

All State/District HB Auditions

Brookwood Middle School

January 27, 2024

District Honor Band

Moody Music Building (UA)

February 16-17, 2024

2/2/2024

MPA Solo and Ensemble #1 Solo and Ensemble #2 District Fall Meeting All State Auditions District Honor Band MPA Solo and Ensemble District Fall Meeting All State Auditions MPA District Honor Band Solo and Ensemble District Spring Meeting District Fall Meeting All State Auditions MPA District Honor Band District Spring Meeting Solo and Ensemble #1 Solo and Ensemble #2

Moody Music Building (UA) Marbury High School Brookwood High School Auburn HS Band Room Opelika HS Auburn JHS Auburn HS East Samford School Barton Academy TBA Baker High School Daphne High School TBA TBA TBA Coppinville Junior High School Enterprise Performing Arts Center Enterprise Performing Arts Center Enterprise High School W.S. Neal HS Houston Academy

March 5-8, 2024 April 11, 2024 April 13, 2024 August 12, 2023 January 27, 2024 February 16-17, 2024 February 27-29, 2024 April 20, 2024 August 21, 2024 January 27, 2024 March 4-8, 2024 March 14-15, 2024 May 4, 2024 May 20, 2024 August 21, 2023 January 27, 2024 March 5-7, 2024 March 8-9, 2024 March 8, 2024 May 4, 2024 May 11, 2024

2/13/24 3/22/24 3/22/24

District 1

REG. DEADLINE

Spring Meeting District 2

District 3

District 4

District 5

District 6

District 7

District 8

ala breve

12/22/2023

12/22/2023 2/2/24 2/12/2024 4/12/24 12/15/2023

12/15/2023

12/15/2023 2/5/24 2/8/24 4/5/24 12/22/2023 2/2/2023 2/16/2023 4/12/2024

12/22/2023 2/12/24 2/12/24 4/19/24 4/19/24

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 62

by Jason Jackson

accompaniment by using the names of the trees as rhythmic building blocks: sycamore, white oak, red maple, sugar maple, ginkgo, birch, etc. Use those same building blocks to assess your students’ quarter & eighth note rhythm reading abilities. As a culmination activity, read the story again without any of the colorful descriptions and discuss how important adjectives are when describing and illustrating a story! First Steps with The Nutcracker: An Adventure with Movement Exploration by Lillie Feierabend © 2021 GIA

If you’re looking for something seasonal with multiple lesson possibilities, check out Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber. The book begins, “We watch a soft wind shake the trees. It lifts the leaves and sets them free.” Each new page describes the leaves as they flutter down and around through the air. As any book about leaves should, it ends by raking a pile to jump into. The final page gives a brief, child-friendly explanation of the different types of leaves and why they change color in the fall. Personally, my first instinct is to use this book as inspiration for movement. Words like lift, release, flutter, falling, curve, stubby, wavy, toss, and settle could easily become part of a creative movement exercise. Include colors to match the leaves with scarves, ribbons, construction paper leaves, real leaves, etc. Add student-composed or improvised pitched or unpitched 62

This book is a recent supplement to the First Steps in Music curriculum by John Feierabend and includes twenty movement explorations using music entirely from The Nutcracker. The goal of movement exploration in the First Steps curriculum is to use the body appropriately to reflect the expressiveness of music. The chapters are laid out in order of the ballet from start to finish. These are not fleshed-out “lesson plans”, per-se, but suggestions of what you might want to try with each of the different selections from the music. Each chapter gives musical and DVD timings, a description of the scene from the ballet with ways to introduce and narrate in your classroom, body prep ideas, and a list of the Laban movement themes addressed. For example, the body prep for Chapter 2: Overture (The Party Begins): Students act as guests: arriving, greeting each other, shaking hands, taking off coats, showing off party clothes, “talking,” eating, sipping punch in fancy cups, and admiring the décor. Ask students for additional ideas, then give them time to practice the motions. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to use their imaginations and act upon inspirations.

A DVD is included along with online access to the videos of Lillie Feierabend facilitating these scenes with 1st-3rd grade students from the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. She and John provide voiceovers to fully explain and discuss the action in the video. The final video is of the students sharing some of their favorite dances with their parents participating in the movement as well. The recording referenced in the book is by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ondrej Lenard and is available on a variety of streaming platforms. If you use another recording, just be sure to study the timings beforehand since they will probably be different. Be sure to read the first six pages in the book to learn notes about why and how this project was accomplished.

Jason Jackson teaches K-6 general music at Daphne East Elementary School and is PresidentElect of the Elementary Divsion

October/November 2023

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 63

Set the Stage with Sight Reading

AT VISI AM T B EA OO FO TH # R A 23 DE M O

"Sight Reading Factory is one of the most valuable tools I've ever used in my classroom." Music Educator

Try it FREE! Go to SightReadingFactory.com/AL242

SightReadingFactory.com

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 64

TRANSFORMING LIVES

Music

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 65

AMEA Industry/Institutional Membership 2023-24 AMEA would like to express appreciation to the following partners who have joined AMEA in our efforts to promote music education in Alabama. Please support these industry/institutional members who support you as music educators!

American Travel Consulting

P.O. Box 750, Albertville, AL 35950 https://www.americantravelconsulting.com/

Collins Hornworks

5256 Willow Way, Birmingham, AL 35242 https://collinshornworks.com/

Gadsden Music Company

607 Broad St., PO Box 132, Gadsden, AL 35901 https://gadsdenmusic.com/

Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center

910 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36849 https://goguecenter.auburn.edu/

Group Travel Network

5401 S. Kirkman Rd. Suite 530, Orlando, FL 32819 https://grouptravelnetwork.com/

J.W. Pepper of Atlanta

9053 Riverside Parkway, Lithia Springs, GA 30122 https://www.jwpepper.com/

Marchmaster

14 Lake Point Drive, Dahlonega, GA 30533 https://marchmaster.com/

Sight Reading Factory

1321 Upland Drive, Suite 12621, Houston, TX 77043 https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Southern Performances

427 Appollo Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 https://southernperformances.com/

Super Holiday Tours

116 Gatlin Avenue, Orlando, FL 32806 https://superholiday.com/

The University of Alabama School of Music

810 2nd Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 https://music.ua.edu/

The University of North Alabama

UNA Box 5040, Florence, AL 35632 https://www.una.edu/schoolofthearts

The University of South Alabama Department of Music

5751 USA Drive South, Mobile, AL 36688 https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/music/

Troy University John M. Long School of Music 112 Long Hall, Troy, AL 36082 https://www.troy.edu

ala breve

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 66

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 67

University of Montevallo Department of Music 205-665-6670 montevallo.edu/music

@montevallomusic

@um_musicdepartment

Events For Middle & High School Students Sept. 28, 2023 Oct. 15, 2023 Nov. 4, 2023 Dec. 2, 2023 Jan. 29, 2024 Feb. 23-24, 2024 March 1-3, 2024

Festival of Voices Flute Day Single Reed Symposium All-State Band Clinic Choral Festival Day Middle School Honor Band High School Honor Band

On-campus auditions for scholarships Feb. 10, 2024 March 2, 2024

Honor Band participants only

March 9, 2024

Scan the QR code to learn more

Virtual auditions available upon request. For more information, visit montevallo.edu/music/audition.

October_2023_AlaBreve - Digital_Layout 1 10/16/2023 6:33 AM Page 68

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID

Dothan, AL 36303

Permit No. 623

Montgomery 3030 East Blvd 334.271.2787

800-341-2787

Dothan

Birmingham

1001 Commons Dr #2 334.793.1284

4647-O Hwy 280S 205.995.8376

ArtsMusicShop.com